This document is a community action guide prepared by the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition to promote food security in Ontario. It highlights the importance of accessible, nutritious food as a determinant of health and discusses various challenges and strategies related to community food security. The guide aims to inspire individuals and community groups to take action to support food security initiatives in their local areas.

1. Healthy Food,
Healthy Community
A Community Action Guide
The Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition
Second Edition 2006
Th is document was prepared with funds provided by the Ministry of Health Promotion for the
Province of Ontario. Th e information contained herein refl ects solely the views of the authors and is
not offi cially endorsed by the Province of Ontario.

2. Reproduction
You are free to copy, distribute or display this document and make derivative works under the following
conditions:
Attribution: You must credit the original author (Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition).
Non-commercial: You may not use this work for commercial purposes.
Share Alike: If you alter, transform or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting work only
under a license identical to this one.
For any reuse or distribution you must make clear to others the license terms of this work.
Any of these conditions may be waived with written permission from the Ontario Healthy Communities
Coalition.
Acknowledgements
Th is guide was originally produced by the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition in 1997. Contributors
to the fi rst edition included Lauren Baker, Phyllis Ingram, Krow Fischer, Katie Burnett, Cheryl Hanson,
Toba Bryant and Emma Walker. Many others provided feedback on the draft manuscript and supported
its development. We would like to acknowledge the excellent work of all the members of the original
Healthy Food, Healthy Communities team.
While some of the information contained in the original guide has been retained, a substantial amount of
new material has been researched, compiled and written for this edition. We would like to acknowledge
the following contributors to the second edition:
Research and Writing: Lorna Heidenheim and Meridith Sones
Reviewers: Tracy Allan-Koester, Th eresa Schumilas, Linda Davies
Editing: Michelle Bullard
Layout: MediaDoc Inc.
Illustrations: Leslie Fraser
Th anks also to all of the individuals and organizations that produced the numerous resources that were
used to help create the content of this document, and to the OHCC staff and Board of Directors for their
support of this project.
Finally, we would like to acknowledge the fi nancial support provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health
Promotion for the development and printing of this guide.

3. Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Big Question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. What Is This Guide About? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3. Who Is This Guide For?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Part I From the Root Up: Community Food Security Defi ned
1. Community Food Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. Healthy Communities and Food Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Part II You Are What You Eat: Food and Our Health
1. Food Security as a Determinant of Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2. The Social Gradient. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3. The Link Between Food and Chronic Disease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4. Prevention Makes Cents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Part III Digging Deeper: Community Food Security Issues
1. Poverty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2. Obesity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3. Nutrition in Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4. Community Design and Food Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5. Food Production and Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
6. Our Food System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
7. Food Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

4. Part IV Recipe for Success: Strategies for Building Food Security
1. The Healthy Communities Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2. Community Food Security Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
3. Healthy Public Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4. Community Actions and Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Buy Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Fair Trade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Community Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Community Shared Agriculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Community Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Gleaning Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
School-Based Nutrition Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Food-Buying Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Food Co-operatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Peer Education Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Part V Through the Grapevine:
Learn More About Community Food Security . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Part VI Glossary of Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Part VII References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

5. 1
1. The Big Question
Th e roots of hunger and malnutrition run deep.
Each and every morning, an alarming number
of people wake up wondering where their next
meal will come from, and how they will feed
their family. Th is challenge is a global crisis that
penetrates deeply into both poor and wealthy
nations. Th e struggle to access adequate amounts
of safe and nutritious
food is an obstacle that
sits on the doorstep of
many communities,
both in Canada and
beyond. As the number
of undernourished people
has grown, though,
so too has our global
food basket. In fact, the
world is now collectively
producing enough food to feed all the people on
the planet.1 How is it, then, that more than 800
million human beings do not have enough to eat
in a world that produces enough food to feed every
man, woman and child?2 If food supply is not the
problem, why are so many people struggling to
access the food they need to live a healthy life?
Th is question was formally addressed in 1996
during the World Food Summit in Rome. At
the summit, 187 countries joined together in a
commitment to eliminate hunger and cut the
number of undernourished people throughout
the world in half by the year 2015.3 Canada was
included in this group of nations that publicly
recognized food as a fundamental right of all
people on earth.
In response to this commitment, Canada’s Action
Plan for Food Security was created. Since its release
in 1998, Canada’s Action Plan has served as a
long-term strategy to improve food security both at
home and abroad. It takes a wide approach to food
security, and includes issues related to food access,
INTRODUCTION
Stat Snack!
“It is estimated that
35,000 people around
the world die each
day from hunger, and
a larger number of
people suff er from
malnutrition.”5

6. sustainable agriculture and rural development,
trade, emergency prevention and preparedness,
and promoting investment in the agri-food sector.4
Canada’s Action Plan for Food Security is used as
a guide by government departments, health units,
schools, community organizations and others who
are working to provide an adequate, nutritious and
sustainable food supply.
2. What Is This Guide About?
Th rough this guide we hope to raise awareness of
the importance of adequate access to nutritious
food as a determinant of health and of community
food security initiatives as a health promotion
strategy. Th e guide is designed to educate and
inspire Ontarians about community actions that
promote food security. It raises many complex
issues and challenges in community food security,
but also provides information about many eff ective
projects that are currently operating within the
province. We have invited some of these groups
to share their stories with others through this
publication, and hope they will inspire individuals
to initiate or join community food security
programs in their own areas. While we have not
provided step-by-step instructions for project
development, we have proposed fi rst steps and have
included a section on resources to help you fi nd out
more about topics that interest you.
3. Who Is This Guide For?
Healthy Food, Healthy Communities is specifi cally
aimed at individuals and community groups in
Ontario who envision a food-secure community
and want to support food security at the local
level. Readers may come from a variety of
backgrounds, such as community action centres,
nutrition programs, health units, food industries,
neighbourhood associations, community health
centres or other community groups; however, we
hope that anyone who is concerned about people
who are experiencing hunger or who is interested
in fi nding ways to enhance the quality of our food
and our food experiences will fi nd something of
value in this guide.
2 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

7. FROM THE ROOT UP:
Community Food Security Defi ned I
3
1. Community Food Security
For the purposes of this guide, we have adopted the
following defi nition of community food security
(CFS):
A situation in which all community
residents obtain a safe, culturally
acceptable, nutritionally adequate
diet through a sustainable food
system that maximizes community
self-reliance and social justice.1
Community food security is more than having an
ample food supply. Th e following factors are also
important elements of CFS:
Accessibility
Central to CFS is the ability of people to access the
food required to live a healthy and productive life.
Everyone deserves to be able to eat food that helps
them achieve optimal health and well-being. In
reality, however, people’s ability to access this type
of food varies based on both its aff ordability and
availability. An unhealthy diet is less often a matter
of personal choice and more often a function of
social and economic inequalities. In addition,
a community’s food environment; i.e., the food
options that exist in a given area, also determines
what dietary choices are available.
Acceptability
CFS not only includes accessibility to food, but also
considers whether the foods that people eat meet
their individual needs. Th e acceptability of food can
be looked at in diff erent ways. Is the food suitable
from a cultural standpoint? Is the quality of food
acceptable from a health and safety perspective?
Both of these questions are important when
considering community food security.

8. Sustainability
In addition to identifying how food is accessed,
CFS also looks at the sustainability of the food
system; in other words, whether the current food
system ensures a safe and high quality food supply
for both now and the future.2 Th e way in which
food is produced, distributed and purchased can
have a major impact on the health and well-being
of producers and consumers. Th e food system
also aff ects the quality of the air we breathe, the
water we drink, the biodiversity and balance in
our ecosystem and the vitality of our natural
environment.
Together, the degree of accessibility, acceptability
and sustainability of our food supply determines
the level of food security of our communities.3
Our understanding of these factors is important
to making the link between CFS and healthy
communities. Th ey
help us grasp how
community food
security is grown
from the root up,
which is vital to
building long-term
solutions that promote a healthier future for
communities across the province.
“Hunger is more than just the
physical desire for food. People
hunger for mental, social, emotional
and spiritual food too.”4
Food is more than a commodity that we consume
at breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is symbolic and
carries signifi cant social and cultural meaning.
Th erefore, lack of access to culturally appropriate,
nutritious and safe food can aff ect more than just
our physical health.
Th e inability to access the right quality and
quantity of safe and suitable food, combined
with lack of control over one’s food situation, is
called food insecurity.5 Although the eff ects of
food insecurity begin at the individual level, these
consequences can quickly ripple to undermine the
physical, mental, emotional and environmental
health of families and communities. In a
recent study, food-insecure families identifi ed
feelings such as powerlessness, guilt, inequity,
embarrassment, anxiety and frustration related
to their failure to access the food they needed.6
When people were unable to access a suitable
food supply, because of either aff ordability or
availability, both their physical and psychological
well-being were aff ected, leading to a general sense
of impoverishment.7 When groups of people have
access to the food they need, they are able to live
happier and healthier lives.
2. Healthy Communities and Food Security
A vision of a Healthy Community always includes a
multitude of ways to access healthy food, but there
are many other benefi ts that arise from creating
food security through a Healthy Communities
process. Th ese include:
• enhanced personal health
• economic development
• more meaningful jobs
• increased community spirit
• reduced overlap and duplication in
services and programs
• increased viability of smaller family
farms
• protection of rural culture
• improved water and air quality
• economic and environmental stability
• safe and supportive communities8
4 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

9. Th ere are many common elements among Healthy
Community and community food security
initiatives, such as:
• acknowledgement of access to healthy
food as a basic need and an important
determinant of health
• recognition of the inter-relationship of
economic, environmental and social
issues
• incorporation of the principles of the
Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion,
which promotes building of healthy
public policy, creating supportive
environments, strengthening
community actions and developing
personal skills
• emphasis on multi-sectoral
participation; a food-secure community
requires co-operation among all those
involved in the food system, including
growers and producers, citizen groups,
community agencies, governmental
organizations, businesses, academic
researchers and environmental
advocates
• promotion of adequate incomes for
both consumers and producers
• promotion of local and diverse food
production
• promotion of environmental
sustainability and the protection of
local agricultural lands and fi sh habitat
• support eff orts to improve to improve
water and air quality and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions
• support for food-based community
economic development.9
People who support community food security
advocate for a food system where both individual
and collective needs are met. Community food
security approaches the issue of food access from
a population health perspective, and seeks to
reduce health inequalities through
the pursuit of social justice.10
Advocates for community food
security come from a variety
of disciplines, professions and
organizations, which adds valuable
diversity to our understanding
of the problems and issues.11 By
working together to increase food
security at the community level,
we are helping to establish safe and supportive
environments in which we, our children and our
grandchildren can thrive.
Part I From the Root Up: Community Food Security Defi ned 5

10. 6 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

11. YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT:
Food and Our Health II
7
1. Food Security as a Determinant of Health
“Societies that enable all citizens
to play a full and useful role in the
social, economic and cultural life of
their society will be healthier than
those where people face insecurity,
exclusion and deprivation.”1
How is good health generated? Are people
unhealthy by choice? What factors are responsible
for the growing gap between those who are healthy,
and those who are not? Th ese are important
questions to ask when considering the growth
of healthy communities. While behavioural
patterns such as diet and exercise, the genes we
inherit and our access to healthcare are important
determinants of health, the most powerful
predictors of health are related to the social,
economic, physical and political environments
in which we live.2 Th ese factors determine our
ability to make choices that support a healthy and
productive life, and are often referred to as the
social determinants of health.
Th e social determinants of health interact with
behavioural patterns to shape our understanding
of how health disparities within communities are
generated.3 Th e social determinants include, but
are not limited to, the following: 4
• income and income distribution
• social inclusion and exclusion
• employment and working conditions
• unemployment and job insecurity
• health services
• the social safety net
• early life and childhood care
• education
• housing
• food security

12. Th e social determinants of health do not operate
in isolation of one another. Several factors may
impact the same individuals or populations at the
same time. For example, a recent health survey of
Canadians found that the odds of reporting food
2. The Social Gradient
Th e health inequalities that are apparent between
diff erent rungs of the social ladder are collectively
referred to as the social gradient.7 Various patterns
of health behaviours and outcomes are revealed
along this grade. For example, when it comes to
diet, those at the bottom of the social gradient are
more likely to sacrifi ce quality for aff ordability
by replacing fresh food with cheaper, processed
foods. In terms of overall health, individuals who
sit lower on the social gradient have a shorter life
expectancy, and face a greater risk of disease and
premature death than those at the top.8 In general,
people who are higher on the social ladder live
longer, healthier lives than those below them.
Statistics Canada’s Findings from the Canadian
Community Health Survey reported that “Adults in
3. The Link Between Food and Chronic
Disease
Good nutrition is essential to good health.
Malnutrition has a negative impact on the
overall physical health of those who suff er from
it, particularly by increasing the risk of disease.
Th ese eff ects are not only products of hunger;
malnutrition occurs in instances of both food
poverty and food plenty.13 Hunger can lead to
defi ciency diseases related to poor intake of
micronutrients such as vitamin A and iron.14
On the other hand, excess food intake is a major
cause of obesity and various chronic conditions.15
Chronic diseases are long-term illnesses that are
diffi cult and often impossible to cure and include
cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney
disease and respiratory illnesses.16 Chronic diseases
insecurity increased with declining income and
reliance on social assistance.5 Th is “clustering
of disadvantage” within populations creates a
widening gap between those who are healthy, and
those who are not. 6
the highest income households were less likely than
those in the lowest to have fewer than fi ve daily
servings of vegetables and fruit”.9
As the gap between the rich and poor continues to
grow in Canada, the overall level of food security
among Canadians and their families is declining.10
Th e social and economic imbalances between
diff erent groups within society aff ect more than
individual health status; they actually bring down
the general health status of the whole population.11
By investing in the social determinants of
health, we can improve the well-being of these
underprivileged populations and, in turn, provide
health benefi ts for all Canadians.12
are the leading cause of death and disability
worldwide, and are a growing threat to the health
and well-being of Canadian communities.17
Stat Snack!
• Cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney
disease and respiratory diseases are the cause of
75% of deaths within Canada.18
• Low-fat diets that are high in fruits and vegetables
have been found to reduce the risk of heart
disease, obesity, certain cancers, stroke and other
vascular diseases.19
8 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

13. In addition to an unhealthy diet, there are other
factors that predispose individuals to chronic
disease, such as:
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• obesity
• physical inactivity
• tobacco
• alcohol 20
It is also important to recognize the importance
of social risk factors. Th ey are listed below, with
an example of how each one can have a negative
impact on individual health.21
Social and economic conditions, such as poverty,
employment, family composition
Example: Low-income families and those who face
unsteady employment often fi nd preventative diets
(such as those high in fresh fruits and vegetables)
unaff ordable.
Environment, such as climate and air pollution
Example: Th e high reliance on long distance
food imports into cities increases greenhouse gas
emissions and air pollution, which contributes to
asthma and other respiratory conditions.22
Culture, such as practices, norms and values
Example: Increasingly busy in their daily lives,
many people have less time to prepare foods and
pack lunches for their children. In fast-paced
Western culture, fast-food alternatives that are
marketed as convenient and aff ordable become
more attractive for families with busy schedules. At
the same time our valued rural cultures are being
lost as family farming becomes less viable in a
consolidated and globalized system.
Stat Snack!
• Northern Ontarians experience 51% higher rates
of heart disease than the Ontario average.25
• Franco-Ontarians are more likely to be
overweight than other Ontarians.26
• Over half of Waterloo Region residents consume
fewer than the daily recommended number of
servings of fruits and vegetables. 27
Urbanization, such as housing, access to products
and services
Example: Low-income housing clusters poor
and vulnerable groups together in areas that lack
supermarkets and have a higher concentration of
convenience stores.23 Food is about 1.6 times more
expensive in convenience stores than in grocery
stores and healthy food options are more limited.24
Th e risk factors for chronic disease aff ect certain
populations more than others. As a result, health
diff erences can be seen
between diff erent regions
Stat Snack!
and groups of people
within Canada.
• 80% of all
chronic disease
is preventable
through low-cost
strategies.29
Part II You are What You Eat: Food and Our Health 9

14. 4. Prevention Makes Cents
In addition to being among the most common
health problems facing Canadians, chronic
diseases are also the most expensive. Each year,
chronic disease costs Canadians $28 billion
and is estimated to account for 55% of Ontario
healthcare costs.28 Prevention can pay off in
many ways. In addition to reducing the fi nancial
burden on the healthcare system, it enables and
encourages healthy lifestyle behaviours that
increase individual health and support well-being.
Healthier individuals make healthier communities.
Disease prevention is therefore in everyone’s best
interests, and is crucial to the future growth and
sustainability of healthy Ontario communities.
10 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

15. DIGGING DEEPER:
Community Food Security Issues III
11
“Life is short where its
quality is poor.”1
Food insecurity is a product of poverty. When
families are on a limited income, they are forced
to prioritize their basic needs in order to survive.
Since shelter costs are fi xed, these expenses often
move to the front of the household budget and take
precedence over all other needs, including food.2
Th is is a serious concern, as the growing shortage
of aff ordable housing in Canada is causing more
and more people to spend a greater portion of their
income on housing.3 After shelter costs have been
paid, often the remaining income must be thinly
spread over the remaining costs of living. As a
result, other determinants of health are weakened,
which opens the door to food insecurity. Mothers
often carry the burden of food insecurity fi rst, as
they attempt to avoid hunger for their families. To
make the food budget bigger, mothers may attempt
to free up income by selling their possessions or
giving up services that are often taken for granted
by many people, such as the telephone.4 Th ey
may also attempt to lessen the weight of hunger
by cutting portion sizes and altering recipes to
“stretch” a meal.5 Many families rely on food banks
for their food, while some mothers may go hungry
themselves so their children have something to
eat.6
Th e Ontario Nutritious Food Basket is a food
costing tool that can be used to measure the
cost of healthy eating based on current nutrition
recommendations. Th e food basket includes 66
food items from all four food groups from Canada’s
Food Guide to Healthy Eating. Th e food items were
selected from among those frequently purchased
by Canadians and based on nutrient value, cost and
availability in supermarkets across seasons. Along
with income and rent rates, the cost of a nutritious
food basket is an essential tool in assessing the
aff ordability of a healthy diet. For example - it costs
about $112 per week for a family of four to eat
healthy in Waterloo Region (about $485/month).
1. Poverty

16. Th is amount only includes basic foods and assumes
that people have the resources to access, store
and cook the food. It also assumes no food is
purchased at restaurants outside the home.7 For
other Nutritious Food Basket reports prepared
by other public health units see FoodNet at www.
opha.on.ca/foodnet/initiatives, the internet-based
resource centre of the Food Security Workgroup at
the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA).
According to data collected by Opportunities
Waterloo Region, a local poverty reduction group, a
family on social assistance or working at minimum
wage may fi nd it diffi cult to aff ord the quality and
quantity of food necessary to meet their energy and
nutrient needs.8
Stat Snack!
In 2000, Toronto food bank
users spent an average
of 63% of their monthly
income on shelter costs.9
Children at Risk
Unfortunately, many children are not protected
from poverty and the food insecurity that it
can create. It is estimated that one out of every
fi ve children in Canada lives in a home that
reports incomes below the poverty line,10 which
indicates that many children are likely to be food
insecure. Homeless children, along with those
who are part of lone-parent families, are at an
even greater risk of poverty and food insecurity.
Poor nutrition places children in danger of many
negative outcomes, including decreased academic
performance, violence, developmental challenges
and limited job success
in adulthood.11 Children
who suff er from poverty
face an increased risk
of health and learning
problems through their
entire lifetime, impacting
Stat Snack!
Child poverty among
female lone-parent
families is 43%.12
their ability to live happy, healthy and productive
adult lives.
Individuals at Risk
In addition to food insecurity, poverty is also linked
to other challenges that threaten the health of
individuals, including: 13
• unstable employment and low wages
• stressful and dangerous working
conditions
• less access to basic needs such as
education, transport and decent housing
• less access to recreational opportunities
• increased risk of addiction, illness and
premature death
Th e above challenges lessen an individual’s
ability to fully participate in social, economic,
political and cultural life. Th is is referred to as
social exclusion. Social exclusion is a product of
inequalities that exist between individuals and
groups in society. Th ese inequalities can arise
out of oppression related to race, class, gender,
disability, sexual orientation, immigrant status
and religion.14 Social exclusion can undermine the
health of both individuals and whole populations.
Populations at Risk
“It is the poorest and most
vulnerable members of society
– the people with no voice – who
are the most likely to be food
insecure and the most powerless
to change their circumstances.”15
Increased risk of food insecurity is related to
diff erences in income that exist between various
populations in Canada. Populations that are
particularly vulnerable are Aboriginal people
and new Canadians. Visible minorities earn 30%
less than white people and are twice as likely to
be poor.16 Closing this income gap between poor
and wealthy groups is important to building
healthier and more inclusive communities. When
resources are stretched more evenly throughout
a community, self-esteem and empowerment
12 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

17. also spreads to a greater portion of its members.17
When people feel a greater sense of belonging in
their community, they also have a more positive
perception of their physical and mental health.18
Lessening the burden of poverty will help people
feel better about themselves, and encourage equal
access to the resources they need to live a healthy
life.
2. Obesity
“A candy bar or an apple?
Th e choice is simple when you
are a seven-year-old.”19
Th e majority of Canadian adults and children are
overweight20 and an alarming number of them are
facing the associated health consequences. Obesity
is linked to various chronic conditions, such as
cancer, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes,
asthma and orthopaedic injuries.21 In addition to
physical consequences, the eff ects of obesity can
also have a negative impact on self-image and
mental health.22
Stat Snack!
In the U.S., about $1
million a year is spent
to advertise the fi ve
to 10 a day campaign
encouraging the
consumption of fruits
and veggies, while $10
billion a year is spent
advertising processed
and junk foods.25
Several factors contribute
to the obesity crisis in
Canadian communities.
Th e excess consumption
of energy-dense fats and
sugars, typical of the
North American diet, is a
major cause of obesity.23
For poor and food-insecure
populations, the
consumption of these
foods is the cheaper, and
often only, alternative
to purchasing costly nutritious foods. However,
there are reasons other than income constraints
that encourage us to reach for unhealthy foods. For
example, more money is spent on advertising for
processed foods and junk foods than for nutritious
foods.24 Fast foods are marketed based on their
convenience, making them more appealing for a
high-paced society where “time is money.”
A large portion of this advertising is targeted at
children, which is contributing to the immense
problem of childhood obesity in the country. In
1999, a national survey found that over one-third
of children aged two to 11 were overweight.26 Th is
study found that children living in low-income
families were more likely to be overweight and
obese, while lack of physical activity was also
found to be a factor in
child obesity.27 As obese
Stat Snack!
and overweight children
are much more likely to
About 80% of food
become obese adults,
commercials aired on
an alarming number of
Saturday morning kids’
Canadian children are
TV shows are for foods
of low nutritional value,
potentially at risk of
such as high-sugar
health problems later in
cereals and candy.28
life.
Part III Digging Deeper: Community Food Security Issues 13

18. 3. Nutrition in Schools
Canadian children are becoming increasingly
overweight.29 Sadly, many are exposed to poor
nutrition each and every school day. Th e level of
food security found within schools is questionable,
as access to healthy lunches and snacks is often
minimal.
A review of elementary school vending machines
found that the majority of the foods and beverages
off ered in schools were nutrient-poor, high in fats
and added sugars, and of increased portion size
not necessary for young children.30 Th ese foods
are readily available to youth who often do not
understand the consequences of eating them and,
in many cases, do not have access to healthier food
choices.
In addition to the costs of growth and development,
poor nutrition also has a negative impact on
Stat Snack!
Approximately 27% of
boys and 23% of girls
in Grade Six to Eight
consume candy and
chocolate bars daily.31
social behaviours and lower rates of suicide and
depression, and are more likely to graduate from
school.33 Healthy children are more likely to grow
into healthy adults.
When schools fi ll their vending machines with junk
food, they are missing a valuable opportunity to
encourage their students
to make nutritional
Stat Snack!
choices and acquire
healthy habits that can
Approximately 31%
last a lifetime.
of elementary school
students and 62% of
A recent study found
secondary students
that students from
do not eat a nutritious
schools participating in
breakfast before
a school-based nutrition
heading to school.34
program showed lower
rates of obesity, had healthier diets and reported
more physical activities than students from schools
without nutrition programs.35
Th is issue of food security in schools is complicated
by the fact that many students are showing up
to school hungry. Th is could be a result of many
factors, such as lack of food options in the home
or a hectic family schedule that results in children
skipping breakfast. School-based nutrition
programs, which are discussed later in this guide,
are addressing this issue and are showing some
promising results.
a child’s ability and
motivation to learn and
focus at school. Th ose
who don’t get enough to
eat are more tired than
those who do, have a
shorter attention span
and don’t learn to solve
problems as well.32 On the
contrary, healthy children have improved literacy
levels, lower incidence of violent and negative
4. Community Design and Food Security
Land use, community design and transportation
planning have an impact on our health in relation
to disease and injury as well as quality of life.
For example, communities that lack sidewalks,
park space, bike lanes and recreation programs
are creating fewer opportunities for people to be
active.36
Another example is the location of local markets
and supermarkets in our communities, and the
impact it can have on our dietary patterns. Th e
rise of large-chain grocery stores and closure of
small suppliers has created “food deserts” in many
communities.37 When grocery stores become
bigger in size but fewer in number, they become
more diffi cult to access, particularly for people
who rely on public transportation. In low-income
14 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

19. communities, families often end up relying on
the convenience store on the corner, where fresh,
healthy options are few and far between.
In a recent survey of convenience stores, Region
of Waterloo Public Health found that healthy food
items were less available
compared to grocery
stores and fruits and
vegetables were the least
available foods. As well,
food at convenience
stores is about 1.6 times
more expensive than
grocery stores.38
So called “complete communities”, as described
in Ontario’s Growth Plan for the Greater Golden
Horseshoe, integrate land use by having retail,
offi ce, residential, open space, schools and services
within the same area. Mixing land uses in this
way promotes greater physical activity by allowing
residents to complete daily tasks by walking,
cycling or using public transit. Because of their
greater densities and vital retail markets, such
communities can attract more small shops closer
to where people live. Th is means food stores
can be attracted into these areas so that there is
greater availability of healthy food to community
members.39
When paired with initiatives to ensure the viability
of family farms, such as buy local initiatives,
such compact urban development becomes a key
strategy in preserving agricultural land and culture,
strengthening rural economies and reducing
reliance on food imports.
“The Skinny” on Supermarkets
Th e design and planning of our physical
environment infl uences the foods we purchase
and eat, even while grocery shopping. Many of the
products sold in supermarkets are intentionally laid
out to infl uence how we spend our money. Food
companies actually buy shelf space from retailers,
and pay signifi cant amounts of money to put their
products in high-traffi c areas of the store where
they are visible to the most shoppers.40 Generally,
healthy and nutrient-rich foods sit around the
outside of the store, while unhealthy processed
foods are placed conveniently in the centre. Th ese
“junk” foods may be nutritionally inadequate
but they have the highest profi t margins, and are
wrapped in attractive packaging and placed where
they can be easily seen and easily bought.41
5. Food Production and Safety
“Only if agriculture is practiced
sustainably now will future
generations have a chance to
exercise their fundamental
human right to food.” 42
Th e availability of food that has been produced
in a safe, sustainable and environmentally sound
manner is vital to community food security. Th e
way in which food is grown can have a major eff ect
on social, economic and natural environments. At
one time, food was produced on farms that were
mainly operated by manual labour and focused
on serving the local area. However, during the
past 20 years, food production in Canada has
become intensely mechanical and industrial. Local
agriculture has given way to big business, and food
is now a major part of world trade. As a result,
Canadians are losing their connection with how
their food is being grown and the farmers who are
growing it. Biological and technical changes to how
food is produced are threatening the food security
of people from all walks of life – not just the poor.
Th e modern method of food production raises
issues of food safety and sustainability that can
challenge food security on a global scale, such as:
Part III Digging Deeper: Community Food Security Issues 15

20. Chemical Food Contamination
Chemical contamination during the
growing process can occur unintentionally
from air, water or soil pollution, or
intentionally through the use of pesticides,
fertilizers and other harmful chemicals.44
Human exposure to these toxic chemicals
has been linked to a variety of conditions,
including cancer, heart disease, kidney and
liver dysfunction, hormonal imbalance,
birth defects, mental health problems and
learning disabilities.45
Eff ects of Biotechnology and Genetic
Engineering
Modern agriculture often involves the
crossing of gene material from diff erent
plants and animals. Consumers have raised
concerns that genetically altered foods may
potentially expose them to food allergies
and other health hazards.46 Despite the
potential for this technology to impact
the safety, sustainability, accessibility,
aff ordability and democracy of our food
system, there is a lack of scientifi c literature
in this area. Th e broader view of health
and health promotion is rarely referred to
in federal government or industry material
about food biotechnology.47
Food-Borne Disease
A considerable portion of the world’s food
production is now done by a select number
of large-scale manufacturers. Th is allows
for the potential spread of food-borne
disease to a great number of consumers at
once. Now that food is traded globally on a
daily basis, it can become contaminated in
one country but cause outbreaks of food-borne
illness in another.48
Impact on the Natural Environment
Pollution from agricultural practices,
such as the use of synthetic pesticides,
synthetic fertilizers and soil and manure
runoff associated with poor management,
disrupts land and water ecosystems and
changes wildlife populations. Pesticides kill
more than the organisms that are targeted,
especially birds and insects.49
Th e use of harmful chemicals throughout
food production has an impact on the
entire ecosystem. In addition, genetically
modifying foods during the growing
process can lead to “genetic pollution.”
Th is refers to the dangerous introduction
of foreign organisms into the natural
environment, which can upset the fragile
balance of the ecosystem and pose a threat
to biodiversity.50
Food production is only one part of the bigger
picture of how food travels from the earth to
our plates. Sustainability needs to be achieved
throughout all levels of the growing process,
including production, processing and distribution.
Sustainable agriculture
refers to a food system
that is economically
viable, socially just and
ecologically sound.51
Th is will ensure that the
present needs of society
can be met without sacrifi cing the needs of future
generations, and will help to build and maintain
healthy Ontario communities for years to come.
16 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

21. 6. Our Food System
“Less than 10% of the average
Canadian’s disposable income is
spent in the supermarket, making
it one of the lowest costing food
baskets in the industrial world.”52
Food is big business. In fact, farming is Ontario’s
second-largest economic sector.53 Thirty-seven
thousand Ontario farmers grow food that will
be enjoyed by people around the province and
around the globe.54 The process by which food
is grown in the farmer’s fi eld and transported to
the tables of Ontarians has changed dramatically
since the previous generation of farmers.
Th e food production system has become more
technologically sophisticated, which allows farmers
to yield high levels of crops. Yet the technology
itself is very expensive,
therefore making it
out of reach for all but
large-scale “corporate”
farms. In Ontario, small-scale
family farms are
struggling to keep up and
many are being forced
Stat Snack!
“Between 1951 and
1996 the number of
farms in Huron County
declined by 45%.”55
out of business. Th e number of farms in Ontario is
declining, while the size of the remaining farms is
increasing.56
Increased prices of equipment, fertilizer, gasoline
and labour have created production costs that
often surpass the income of smaller farmers.57 Low
returns on investment make it diffi cult for these
farmers to support their families, let alone sustain
their businesses. As a result, farmers are forced to
consider more profi table options, such as selling
valuable land to developers. Given that farms are
usually located on the outskirts of urban centres,
rural communities are becoming increasingly
vulnerable to land development and urban sprawl.
Adding to the vulnerability of small farms are other
trends in the provincial farming industry, such as
increased competition for available land, problems
with fi nding and retaining quality labour, and a low
level of public awareness and support for farming.58
Over the past several years, the eff ects of
competition and subsidies in the global
market have reduced the prices of agricultural
commodities to record low levels. As a result, the
market price of many locally grown food products
may not refl ect all of the production costs, making
it diffi cult for farmers to earn a living and keep
their farms viable. Smaller farms are disappearing
and those left are fi nding it increasingly diffi cult
to compete with larger farms and the subsidized
commodities from other countries. Agricultural
policies and regulations tend to refl ect the
interests of the larger, corporate farms. As a result
of all these factors, farmers are facing a great
deal of stress and major fi nancial concerns and
there is a great loss of young people from rural
communities.59
Broader political and social issues are refl ected
in the current trends of the agricultural industry.
For example, municipal bylaws often dictate
where and to what scale farms can operate. From
a social perspective, consumers perceive farming
as undesirable and are prioritizing cheap food over
the economic health of those that are growing it.
Ontario is now witnessing the rise of bigger, more
intensive farms that tend to be less sensitive to
environmental and local community needs.
Farmers do more than just produce food for people
to enjoy; they help to sustain healthy communities
by creating jobs, supporting the local economy and
conserving natural resources, such as water, soil
and trees. However, given the current challenges
facing them and their families, there is little
motivation for younger generations to carry on a
family tradition of farming. We are losing skills and
knowledge, and the future of farming is at stake.
By exercising our purchasing power and making
choices that support our communities, such as
buying local food, we can show that we care about
the future of Ontario farming.
Part III Digging Deeper: Community Food Security Issues 17

22. 7. Food Transportation
“Before you’ve fi nished your
breakfast this morning, you’ll
have relied on half the world.”60
When you reach for your morning coff ee, have you
ever wondered what it took to get the coff ee beans
from the earth into your espresso? Canadians make
food purchases on a daily basis that aff ect energy
consumption. During
the past three decades,
Canadians have reached
for an increasing number
of food products that
have been imported
from great distances.61
For example, a recent
study of imports of 31
commonly-eaten foods capable of being grown or
raised in Waterloo Region tracked the distances
travelled. Imports of the studied foods traveled
an average of over 4,500 km and generated an
average of 1.8 kg of greenhouse gases for every kg
of food imported. Th ese foods generated a total of
over 50,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions
annually – equal to the average emissions of
over 16,000 cars on our roads each year.62 Th e
importing of food over long distances raises several
environmental, health and moral challenges.
Our Environment
Our dependency on fossil fuels to produce, package
and distribute food is a signifi cant contributor
to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
Transportation accounts for one-quarter of
Canada’s energy consumption and produces
one-quarter of our greenhouse gas emissions,
more than any other sector of the economy.63
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and
methane, trap heat in the atmosphere and cause
climate change by raising global temperature.64
Our Health
Th e pollution that results from importing food
over great distances decreases the quality of the
air we breathe, and therefore has negative eff ects
on our health. Th e burning of fossil fuels emits air
pollutants and smog, while also helping to deliver
aeroallergens such as pollen, mould and dust into
the body.65 Unhealthy air masses cause respiratory
damage and lead to the rise and aggravation of
asthma and other related diseases.
Our Food
To accommodate for the distance food must travel,
producers rely heavily on chemicals and processing
to reduce spoilage before the food reaches the
marketplace.66 Th e introduction of pesticides and
food processing and other harmful chemicals
into produce has negative consequences on our
ecosystem and the safety of the food we eat.
Our Global Community
As local food systems decline, rich countries are
becoming increasingly dependent on developing
nations for their food. Th is relationship is often
exploitive for Th ird World countries. For example,
world trade policies allow rich countries to charge
high taxes on imported goods. Th is controls the
amount that poor countries can aff ord to export
and limits their share of the world market to raw,
less-profi table goods.67 Th is is destructive for local
economies of Th ird World nations and the small-scale
farmers who work within them.
Increased trade in developing countries has also
drawn millions of people into the labour force,
where employees often face unsafe and exploitive
working conditions. Lack of labour rights in these
nations can expose workers to insecure contracts,
intense production pressure, and intimidation in
the workplace.68
18 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

23. RECIPES FOR SUCCESS:
Strategies for Building Food Security IV
19
Th roughout this guide, we have explored the roots of community food security in order to grow our
understanding of its underlying meaning and importance. In addition, we have looked at how food
security is linked to other social, economic and health factors. Now that we have a better appreciation of
the issues, our next step is to put our knowledge into action!
1. The Healthy Communities Process
What does the path to healthier Ontario
communities look like? Healthy Communities is a
process by which a community determines its own
issues, needs and action plans, using an approach
that includes four fundamental characteristics:
Wide Community Participation: Community
participation in community planning and decision-making
is essential for there to be a high quality of
life for all.
Broad Involvement of All Sectors of the
Community: Each fi nding ways in their day-to-day
activities to contribute towards the goal of a
healthier community. For food security, this could
involve partnership and co-operation with farmers,
social and health organizations, environmental
groups, local residents, and business and labour
organizations, among others.
Local Government Commitment: Th e mayor and
local councillors should be committed to building
a healthier community. Each department (e.g.,
parks and recreation, public works, planning) works
towards the shared vision of a healthy community.
Creation of Healthy Public Policy: Decisions
or actions intended to have a positive eff ect
of the health of people, involving community
participation in planning and implementation.
Governments should consider the broad range of
factors that aff ect health and quality of life, and
allocate resources and funds accordingly.

24. 2. Community Food Security Strategies
Th ere are several important way to create positive
change towards a more food-secure future for
Ontario communities. Community food security
strategies fi t into three broad categories: 1
• short-term solutions to provide
emergency relief
• healthy public policy to create change
at the system level
• community actions to mobilize
community members
Short-term solutions are those that follow a
charitable model, such as food banks and soup
kitchens. Although these strategies provide
important relief to the hunger crisis, they do not
deal with the root causes of food insecurity and
therefore do not bring about sustainable change
for our communities. Our focus will be on the
remaining two categories: capacity building
and system change through healthy policy
development. Th ese methods take a multi-sectoral
approach and aim to create changes that are long
term and population wide.
Community Food Security programs address the social, economic and environmental
determinants of health.
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20 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

25. 3. Healthy Public Policy
Healthy public policy puts people fi rst in our
communities. Although the concept of public
policy may seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be.
Growing our understanding of the basics of policy
is important to grasping how it can be changed to
benefi t community health.
A Defi nition
Th e word policy refers to a plan of action that
guides the decision-making of individuals,
organizations and governments. Policies refl ect
our values and can take many forms, including
guidelines, rules, regulations, laws or principles.2
Specifi cally, healthy public policy targets the
determinants of health to lay the groundwork
for shrinking social inequalities and making
healthier choices easier for everyone.3 It promotes
community-wide health by improving widespread
access to the resources required to live healthy and
productive lives.
Healthy Public Policy Is Important
Th e development of supportive, healthy policy is
perhaps the most eff ective way to build long-term
food security and a more sustainable food system
for our communities.4 It focuses on the underlying
social causes of community food security and
makes positive changes at the system level. Th e
eff ects of these changes spread across all levels of
the population and help to maintain community
food security for the people of the present and the
children of the future. However, the benefi ts of
policy-making are not limited to the creation of a
fi nal document.
Th e importance of developing healthy policy is
based on both the process and the fi nal product.
Th e process of building policies that support food
security engages community members to reach a
shared understanding of food security issues, while
inviting them to think about how these problems
can be addressed through policy-focused action.5
When it comes to the development of healthy
public policy, both the journey and the destination
are valuable to community growth.
Making Healthy Public Policy Happen
Generally, the need for new or updated public
policy arises when a population’s needs are
not being met or the present system favours
unhealthy choices. Governments are accountable
for the health consequences of their policies or
lack of policies.6 Th e general public often feels
like the development of policy is out of their
hands; however, involving aff ected communities
in the process is a vital part of healthy policy-making.
In terms of building community food
security, listening to the voice of food-insecure
populations helps us understand what the issues
are and provides direction for decision-makers.
Collaboration between aff ected individuals,
families, organizations, businesses and government
is ideal for creating eff ective healthy policies that
support the growth of food-secure communities.
Turn Up the Volume!
Th ere are several types of initiatives that are
turning up the volume on the public’s voice
during policy discussions, and bringing greater
awareness to the importance of healthy policy that
supports food-secure communities. Here are some
highlights:
Food policy councils are “think tanks” for the
development of programs and policies that aim
to build community food security. Food policy
councils are created through a diverse partnership
of concerned citizens, businesses and organizations
that collectively represent a community, region
or province.7 Council members join forces to
discuss strategies for infl uencing policy, growing
community awareness and promoting community
action. Armed with the power of knowledge,
Part IV Recipe for Success: Strategies for Building Food Security 21

26. passion and ideas, food policy councils advocate
for long-term solutions by striving to put food
insecurity on the public policy agenda.
Taking Action
Since 1991, the Toronto Food Policy
Council has partnered with business and
community groups to develop policies and
programs promoting food security. For more
information, visit www.toronto.ca/health/
tfpc_index.htm.
Just Food, formerly the Ottawa Food Security
Council, is aimed at creating a just and
sustainable food system in Ottawa. Th ey work
with people in all parts of the food system
and serve the interests of rural and urban
food producers and low-income community
members, and community organizations and
partners. For more information, visit www.
spcottawa.on.ca/ofsc.
School food policies are documents or plans of
action that outline a school’s approach to all food
issues, including buying, selling and consuming
food in a manner that supports healthier
communities. Th ese policies are used to guide
and support the choices of educators, parents and
students, and symbolize a shared goal of building
healthier and happier spaces
where students can thrive.
School food policies may be
adopted and implemented by
the schools themselves, and
by school boards, education
ministries, public health units
and other related sectors.8 Th ere
are many goals that school food
policies can set out to achieve
within the school, including:9
• improving the nutrition, freshness,
quality and appeal of food served and
sold
• improving the food preparation, service
and eating environments
• increase participation in school
nutrition programs to ensure that no
student goes hungry
• integrate food service with school
educational, health and environmental
missions
• purchase food in a manner that
supports local farmers and the local
economy
• provide opportunities for student,
teacher and public input
Taking Action
Does your or your children’s school have a food
policy? If it doesn’t, perhaps you can join forces
with others who are advocating for one to be
implemented. Our “Th rough the Grapevine”
section off ers several useful resources for learning
more about food policies and other healthy school
programs.
Food charters are statements of values, principles
and priorities used to point community food policy
in a positive direction. Food charters are developed
by bringing a diverse group of citizens together
and enabling them to share their concerns and
desires around food and agricultural issues in order
to reach a shared vision of food security.10 Food
charters take the voices and visions of community
members and put them to paper. Th e end result
is a community-owned and locally focused action
plan to build greater food security. Both the
document itself and the process used to create it
are important to opening the discussion on food
security issues, and mobilizing our political will to
advocate for change.11
22 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

27. Putting Public Policy on the Right
Path
Although the policy initiatives currently taking
place to build food security for Canadians are
promising, further policy changes need to be
made by all levels of government in order to build
community-wide food security for the long term.
As part of their “Food 2002” project, FoodShare
has developed a comprehensive list of 28 policy
recommendations for building community food
security that address the link between food and
other social and economic issues. To read about
these recommendations and other valuable
information on food security, visit the FoodShare
website at www.foodshare.net.
Taking Action
Th e Sudbury-Manitoulin Food Charter was
developed by the Food Security Network
of the Sudbury and Manitoulin Districts in
June 2004, and was passed by the Sudbury
District Board of Health, the City of Greater
Sudbury, the municipalities of Killarney
and of St. Charles and also by the Township
of Tehkummah on Manitoulin Island as of
September 15, 2004. For more information,
contact Th e Foodshed Project at www.
foodshedproject.ca or the Sudbury District
Health Unit at www.sdhu.com.
Toronto City Council asked their Food and
Hunger Action Committee to develop a Food
Charter. Th e Committee brought together
city councillors, city staff , non-profi t agency
staff , food program participants, volunteers,
clergy and interested members of the public
to work on the Charter, which was adopted
by Council in 2001. View the Toronto Food
Charter at www.toronto.ca/food_hunger/pdf/
food_charter.pdf.
Part IV Recipe for Success: Strategies for Building Food Security 23

28. The City of Greater Sudbury Food Charter
...promoting community food security in the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin
Given that access to safe, aff ordable, nutritious food is a basic human right of individuals and communities, and connects us
to our families, our cultures, and our traditions; And that community food security is a comprehensive approach that includes
all components of the food system, from producers to consumers, and promotes regional food self-reliance; And that having a
food-secure community is the foundation of population health, social justice, community-based economic development, and
a sustainable environment; Th erefore, the Food Security Network of the Sudbury and Manitoulin Districts, including Th e City
of Greater Sudbury, the Social Planning Council of Sudbury, and the Sudbury District Health Unit, will work towards the
development and implementation of a community food security mandate that supports research, policies, and programs that will
endorse:
1) Population Health and Wellness:
• Individual and household food security as a determinant of health;
• Adequate income, employment, housing, and transportation policies that ensure food accessibility and
availability to all citizens; and
• Nutritional education and healthy food choices in schools, businesses and public places.
2) Community Development:
• An annual community food security report card;
• Food self-reliance through community-based food programs, such as community gardens, fresh food box
programs and collective kitchens;
• Multi-cultural food festivals and cultural events;
• An emergency food preparedness plan; and
• Th e involvement of the community in developing food security solutions.
3) Investment in the Regional Food System:
• A regionally based and community-driven food system;
• Th e viability of agricultural and rural communities;
• Th e development of regional value-added agricultural production, food processing and distribution systems;
and
• Th e promotion of regional food products at farmers’ markets, farm-gate sales, and local food outlets.
4) Th e Development of a Sustainable Food System:
• Public and institutional education on the interdependence between the food system and a sustainable
environment;
• Scientifi cally proven best management agricultural practices and regional crop varieties;
• Th e development and implementation of renewable technologies in the expansion of the regional food
system;
• Th e reduction of persistent toxic chemicals that can accumulate within the food chain;
• Sustainable waste management practices; and
• Support for initiatives that minimize the loss of bio-diversity, resource depletion, and climate change, and
that raise the awareness of global environmental issues.
24 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

29. 4. Community Actions and Programs
Community actions are important vehicles for
building food security and building regional
capacity. Community food security actions and
programs aim to improve people’s access to
nutritious food and promote sustainable and
socially just food systems. Some programs also
focus on bringing people together to produce
and prepare their own food and work together
for change.12 Community actions mobilize both
individuals and groups to address the burden of
food insecurity that may be facing them personally,
or perhaps facing others in their community.
Th ese programs build the capacity of individuals
and populations by helping them acquire skills,
strategies and resources to work through these
challenges. Th is allows individuals to gain some
control over very basic parts of their lives, such as
feeding their families.
Taste the Benefi ts!
Although community action programs alone will
not solve all food insecurity issues, they provide
several powerful benefi ts: 13
• preservation of individual dignity by
requiring participation, time and often
investment of fi nancial resources
• off ering healthier, better-quality food
to low-income consumers than what is
off ered through a charitable model
• promoting local control over the
food system and environmental
sustainability
• fostering self-help, mutual support and
community development
• off ering nutrition education and
opportunities to learn about new foods
• providing more opportunities for
social contact and a chance to practice
English language skills
A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins
with Just One Step
Th e following section profi les ten types of
initiatives that aim to build more food-secure
communities, and also includes stories of
projects that are happening right here, right now,
throughout Ontario. Let the energy and actions of
fellow Ontarians motivate and inspire you. Turn
your knowledge into action, and take a fi rst step
towards helping your community build a happy,
healthy and food-secure future. Let the journey
begin!
Buy Local
Buying from local food systems can include
shopping at farmers’ markets or stands where
you purchase directly
from the grower, and
eating at locally owned
establishments rather
than restaurant chains.14
It is an important step
in supporting local food
systems that promote
food security by being
environmentally and
economically sustainable. Fill your food basket with
local products, and taste the benefi ts:
• It helps the local economy. Buying
local creates local job opportunities,
pumps money back into the local
economy and supports rural
communities.
• It is good for the environment. Local
food systems reduce air pollution
and the release of greenhouse gases
by cutting down on transport. Food
that is grown locally takes less energy,
preservatives and packaging to get to
your plate.
Part IV Recipe for Success: Strategies for Building Food Security 25

30. • It connects growers and consumers.
Consumers can build a greater
understanding of how their food is
grown and the people who are growing
it, while farmers can learn about
market trends and their customers’
needs and interests.
• It creates a stronger sense of
community. Communities come
together to support locally produced
food and build strong social networks.
Sociologists have estimated that
people have ten times as many
conversations at farmers’ markets than
at supermarkets.15
• It increases community access to
safer, more nutritious food that
tastes better. Consumers have access
to a diverse selection of fresh food
that often contains less chemicals
and preservatives. Food grown locally
generally contains more vitamins and
other nutrients than foods which have
been imported.
First Steps:
Find a local market in your area by visiting www.
farmersmarketsontario.com. Some communities
make available local food maps or guides that
show the public how and where to buy fresh local
produce. For example, FoodLink Waterloo Region
produces a guide to local food called “Buy Local!
Buy Fresh!” for each season, available at www.
foodlink-waterlooregion.ca.
Start your own “buy local” campaign. Check
ecoPerth’s Local Flavour campaign at www.
ecoperth.on.ca to get some ideas.
Th e Local Flavour campaign recognizes the
importance of our local economy and the people
that rely on it for their livelihoods and is targeted to
local businesses, farms, and individuals.
ecoPerth suggests many ways that you can keep
your food dollar as close to home as possible:
• Read labels to fi gure out just how far
the food you’re thinking about buying
has traveled, and buy as close to home
as possible.
• Let food retailers and restaurants know
you’d rather eat locally produced foods,
and patronize those that do.
• Buy foods that are “in season” rather
than “imported” because they are
fresher and they have more nutrients
than those coming from great
distances.
• Purchase food from farm gate sales; i.e.
products that can be purchased directly
from the growers in your area.
• Shop for fresh goods at local markets.
Every $1 spent on local food generates
more than $2 in other local business.
• Join a food box program; i.e. a box of
produce purchased from local growers
and in some cases, delivered to your
home.
• Start your own vegetable garden
• Buy Ontario wine – look for the VQA
label.
• Experiment with new seasonal recipes
that encourage the use of fresh, local
products.
ecoPerth’s Local Flavour logo allows consumers to
quickly recognize the use of local products
26 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

31. Local Flavours Project
Thousand Islands/Rideau Region
Offi cially launched in July 2005 at the Brockville Farmers’ Market, Local Flavours is an initiative of the
UNESCO Frontenac Arch Biosphere, which occupies a triangular area in the Th ousand Islands/Rideau
region of Eastern Ontario.
Th e project supports local producers and builds a stronger local economy and community. Community
members are encouraged to forgo buying their produce at the large chain grocery stores, and instead buy
them at the farm gate or at local markets. Th e primary task of Local Flavours is to bring together local
producers and consumers, creating an economic and social partnership that benefi ts the entire community
Local Flavours provides maps of producers and outlets on its website, and also produces an annual brochure
listing its members. Th is brochure is available in many businesses, post offi ces, township offi ces, information
booths and other spots throughout the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve Region.
Th ere are many benefi ts to buying directly from local producers.
• Providing a reliable market for farmers increases their share of food dollars and helps them to
survive in a challenging business, thus preserving agricultural land.
• When food doesn’t have to travel far, it requires less packaging materials, preservatives and,
often, fewer pesticides. Th us, it avoids processes that pose threats to the environment and human
health and decrease the taste and quality of food.
• Reducing the need for long-distance shipping reduces the production of damaging greenhouse
gases, which cause global warming, acid rain, smog, and air pollution.
• It helps to preserve rural agricultural landscape and uses local natural resources without
destroying them, since local producers tend to have small, sustainable operations as opposed to
large industrial farms.
• Local, naturally raised and fed animal products retain a higher proportion of their nutritional
value than imported foods.
• Th e local economy benefi ts because money spent in the community stays in the community
longer, benefi ting local retailers and residents.
• It creates opportunities for local farmers to develop new markets, such as organic foods and foods
targeted to particular health and ethnic markets. Local consumers could include purchasers who
buy for hospitals or school cafeterias.
• Local food buying supports family farmers and helps to support rural communities. It also
increases the connection between consumers and the production of their food and has signifi cant
social benefi ts. Communities come together to support locally produced food and the people who
produce it.
For more information about Local Flavours, visit www.localfl avours.org
or contact info@localfl avours.org – (613) 659-4824.
Part IV Recipe for Success: Strategies for Building Food Security 27

32. Fair Trade
Buying local food is not always possible, as a large
portion of the food available in Canada is imported
from abroad. However, whether your food came
from local soil or was harvested in a faraway land,
it is still important to understand the system that
brought the food to your plate.
When buying imported foods, it is diffi cult
to see how our choices impact the people and
communities that have grown it. Fair Trade is an
international movement concerned with producing
and trading goods in a way that supports local
economies and human rights in poor countries.
Th is includes getting a fair price for their goods,
being off ered secure jobs in environments that
promote human rights and gaining the support
to obtain the necessary knowledge and skills to
grow their business.16 Th ese are important factors
when ensuring that our food is being produced
in a sustainable and socially just way. Purchasing
fair trade foods and advocating for world trade
policies that benefi t both small-scale producers and
multinationals are important ways of exercising
our power as consumers.17
First Steps:
Visit the website for Oxfam International’s global
campaign at www.maketradefair.com to read up on
the issues and see how you can support fair trade.
Support businesses that are fair trade certifi ed.
Twenty countries, including Canada, have national
initiatives to certify Fair Trade products. TransFair
Canada, a not-for-profi t certifi cation and public
education organization, provides a list of fair trade
certifi ed businesses on their website at www.
transfair.ca/en/licenseelist.
Community Gardens
A community garden is an inexpensive way
for people to work together to grow their own
food. Community gardens are usually found in
a convenient part of a neighbourhood, where
people can easily drop by and participate. Some
community gardens have allotments where each
family grows its own food. At other community
gardens, food is grown collectively, with work
shared by the participants. Th is allows people to
exchange ideas, share gardening tips and provide
varying levels of expertise. Growing our own food
is also a great way to help build food security in our
communities, promote active living and encourage
people to work outdoors. If joining or initiating a
community garden project is not an option for you,
consider starting a small garden in your own home.
Gardens can be grown in backyards, windows, on
balconies or on rooftops. You don’t need to grow all
your food at home, but giving it a try can be both
fun and rewarding.
First Steps:
Find out if a community garden already exists in
your community by contacting your local health
unit, rotary and horticultural clubs, city parks and
other community planning organizations. Getting
involved in existing gardens will save you much
time and energy and reduce duplication of eff orts.
For gardening tips, Master Gardeners of Ontario
Inc. is made up of local volunteers who give
guidance to home gardeners. To fi nd a Master
Gardener near you, visit the Ontario Horticultural
Association at www.gardenontario.org/mas.
Community Shared Agriculture
Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) is a co-operative
method of direct marketing from farm
to table. Th e primary thrust behind CSA is that
consumers, usually urban, agree to buy a share of
local farmers’ produce at a pre-established price.
Consumers are provided with a box full of fresh,
quality, seasonal produce direct from a local farm
every week during the growing season.18 Th e
prepaid share provides a guaranteed return for
the CSA growers’ labour and resources, regardless
of drought, fl oods or other hazardous conditions.
Many CSAs off er “work shares” where consumers
can work off some or all of the share purchase
price. It is also common for CSAs to involve their
28 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

33. Comments from Community Gardeners in London:
“Th e garden was particularly helpful because we were able to supplement our tiny food budget. If it hadn’t
been for the garden I shudder to think what our meals would have been like.”
“What probably surprised me the most was how quickly any daily stress could be melted away just by watering
the garden, weeding or picking the fresh produce.”
“Everywhere I turned help was at hand. With seasoned gardeners on every side, advice was plentiful, and
sooner than I could imagine I had a plot full of a wonderful array of produce.”
“Last year my tomato crop was so bountiful that I delivered baskets each weekend to the senior shut-ins in the
apartment building next to ours.”
“What an enjoyable and fulfi lling experience!”
Part IV Recipe for Success: Strategies for Building Food Security 29

34. London’s Community Gardens
Operated by the London Community Resource Centre, the London Community Gardens Project is
funded by the City of London and receives many donations and in-kind contributions from organizations,
individuals, and other levels of government.
In the summer of 2005, 17 gardens were in operation. Community gardens have proven to be very popular in
London for a variety of reasons. Not only do they provide increased access to fresh, nutritious, low-cost food,
but they also provide opportunities for increased skill development, community building, recreation, physical
activity, fresh air, social interaction and cross-cultural participation.
Participating gardeners come from diverse backgrounds and range in age from 21 to 92. Sixty-seven percent
of the gardeners have household incomes of less than $24,000. Forty percent have languages other than
English as their fi rst language. Many live in apartments without access to a garden, and participate to better
their health through both nutrition and exercise, and other simply enjoy gardening. Some gardeners are
new Canadians who want to grow food that they are accustomed to from their countries of origin. Several
agencies participate in the Community Gardens Project by organizing plots for their clients, members or
constituents to use, in some cases as a form of therapy in addition to the other benefi ts of gardening.
Th e land for the gardens is provided by the City of London, churches and local businesses. In 2005 there were
432 plots and 230 registered gardeners. It was calculated that approximately 1,800 people benefi ted from
food produced in the gardens. Th is number does not include those who benefi ted through produce donated
to the London and Area Food Bank and other service agencies. Th e plot rental fee is based on a sliding scale
from $15 to $40 per year, geared to income. Fifty-one percent of gardeners pay the lowest rate. Th ese fees
cover only the supplies required by the gardens, e.g., water, hoses, soil tests, tools, etc. Th e gardeners also
contribute many hours of volunteer labour to assist with preparation and maintenance of the garden sites.
All the gardens are grown organically, i.e, no chemical pesticides or herbicides are used. Compost, mulching,
crop rotation and companion planting are employed to obtain maximum yield.
One of the newer initiatives of the project has been to create raised garden beds at one of the garden sites to
make them accessible to people with physical disabilities. Another initiative is the “Dig It” project, in which
20 youth will be hired to learn about composting, build composters, teach the community gardeners about it
and facilitate composting at each of the gardens.
For more information about the London Community Gardens Project, contact:
Mary Yanful, Community Gardens Coordinator
London Community Resource Centre
652 Elizabeth St., London, Ontario N5Y 6L3
Tel: (519) 432-1801
Email: mary@lcrc.on.ca
Website: www.lcrc.on.ca
30 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

35. consumers with on-farm activities and special
events, or to help distribute food shares to fellow
members at drop-off sites.
CSA benefi ts consumers, farmers and the natural
environment they both live in. By sharing in the
success and failure of crops in any given year, the
gap between consumers and growers is lessened,
allowing for stronger relationships between rural
and urban people. For the consumer, CSA off ers
a greater diversity of fresh, high-quality produce.
For growers, CSA allows them the satisfaction of
serving their local community while maintaining
smaller eco-friendly farms, which are still
profi table.19 CSA also benefi ts the environment, as
the majority of CSA growers practice ecologically
friendly methods of food production with little or
no use of chemicals. CSA consumers are tolerant
of nutritious produce that may not be picture
perfect, resulting in much less waste. Combining
this reduction of waste produce with less packaging
and less transportation costs creates a food system
that is better for the environment, and also has a
positive eff ect on the local economy.
First Steps:
Join a CSA and encourage your friends and family
to follow! To fi nd out what CSA projects are
operating in your region, try contacting your local
community food security organization (check
FoodNet at www.opha.on.ca/foodnet/initiatives.
html for listings), your local Green Communities
member (see http://www.gca.ca/indexcms/index.
php?organizations#ON), or check out the various
Ontario chapters of Canadian Organic Growers
(see the national website at www.cog.ca).
Community Kitchens
“Eliminating hunger is really the
cornerstone of a better world where
we could live with each other in
peace and harmony. Collective
Kitchens contribute to that kind of
world.”
Diane Norman, Dietitian
A community kitchen
consists of a group of
people who meet regularly
to plan and cook nutritious
meals together, exchange
recipes and develop new
food preparation skills.
By sharing a collective
kitchen space, participants
can expand their skills
while socializing, building
friendships and off ering
mutual support to other
people who face the
challenges of food insecurity.
Community kitchens often involve buying foods
collectively and in large quantities or bulk,
therefore lowering food costs for members. In
addition, community kitchens are often very
convenient for participants. Cooking in larger
quantities takes less time, and the food can be
easily portioned and frozen for later use.
It is up to the group to decide how they want the
kitchen to function, therefore providing a level
of fl exibility that helps to ensure that the diverse
needs of the group are met. Some groups meet once
a week, while others meet once a month. Some
kitchens may sit down together and share their
meals after each meeting, while others may cook
a number of diff erent meals to last until the next
meeting.
When individuals of similar circumstance meet,
community kitchens may take a particular focus.
For example, they can be geared towards seniors,
diff erent minority groups, single mothers and
fathers, vegetarians, students and other specifi c
groups.
First Step:
Community kitchen programs are operating in
many parts of the province. To learn more, contact
the food security work groups and councils listed in
our “Th rough the Grapevine” section. To fi nd out if
there is a community kitchen program in your area,
Part IV Recipe for Success: Strategies for Building Food Security 31

36. contact your local health unit or check the FoodNet
website at www.opha.on.ca/foodnet/initiatives/
program.html.
London’s Collective Kitchen Network
In response to the growing demand on food
programs in London, in 1991 the London
Community Resource Centre invited Dianne
Norman, a public health dietitian in Montreal, to
provide training on the development of a Collective
Kitchen program in London. Four kitchens
were opened initially, one with recent Spanish
immigrants, two in therapeutic environments
for ex-psychiatric patients and a fourth for
anyone from the community. Th ere are now 37
kitchens operating in London and surrounding
townships, sponsored by various organizations and
institutions. Th e London Community Resource
supports the London Collective Kitchen network by
providing short term subsidies, training, nutritional
information and referrals.
Service providers will be engaged as supporters for
these high needs groups. Th e success of this project
is due to the contributions of many volunteers,
partners and funders.
Gleaning Projects
Gleaning refers to the collection of crops from
farmers’ fi elds that remain after harvesting is
complete. Th ese are crops that would otherwise be
left to rot or be ploughed under, as harvesting them
is not economically profi table for the grower or
they are not suitable to sell on the retail market.
Gleaning is practiced as a means for low-income
and hungry families to access fresh food at no
cost. Projects also aim to bridge the gap between
growers and consumers and encourage strong
partnerships between participants and the
local farming community. Gleaning provides
participating families with an opportunity to
promote locally grown produce, be socially and
physically active and to learn more about nutrition,
food preparation and food safety.20
First Steps:
Read about gleaning projects that are already
happening around the province, share your
knowledge with others and see how you can get
involved. Some gleaning programs you may want to
consult include:
• Fresh Food Partners by York Region
Food Network: http://www.yrfn.
ca/gleaning.htm
• Food Action Network gleaning
program by Th under Bay District
Health unit: http://www.tbdhu.com/
food/security/Gardening.htm
North Lanark Responds to Community
Needs
Th e North Lanark County Community
Health Centre conducted a broad-based
community health needs assessment which
identifi ed diffi culties for many individuals
and their families in accessing aff ordable,
fresh fruits and vegetables. Because Lanark
County also has a rich agricultural heritage,
local individuals and organizations started
working together to identify ways in which
the provision of locally grown produce can be
made more accessible to low income families
in north Lanark. An anonymous donation
from an individual with matching top-up
funds from the Lawson Foundation, combined
with special project funding from the United
Way of Lanark County, have provided
seed money for this initiative to take root.
Projects being developed or explored include:
supporting a community kitchen using local
grown produce, creating a kitchen garden at a
local youth centre and providing locally grown
produce for hot lunch programs at the local
primary school. Th e partners in this initiative
include the North Lanark County Community
Health Centre; ecoPerth and the Ontario
Healthy Communities Coalition.
32 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

37. School-Based Nutrition Projects
Recently, there have been many discussions
on the role of Ontario schools in ensuring that
students obtain proper nutrition to succeed in their
learning environment. Many children are arriving
at school hungry, possibly due to long bus rides
or a hectic family schedule that leaves little time
to eat breakfast in the morning. Recognizing the
importance of proper nourishment to a student’s
learning and behaviour, many schools are adopting
nutrition programs in response to this issue. Th ese
programs often work hand in hand with school
food policies that help to guide healthy choices by
students and staff .
School-based nutrition projects are not designed
to remove or replace the parental responsibility of
nourishing children, but rather enhance student
access to nutritious meals and snacks throughout
the day. Some programs may also provide students
with opportunities to grow and cook their own
food on site.
Th ese programs address the health and diet
needs of all children, not only those considered
to be poor or in need. School-based nutrition
programs tend to move away from a charitable
model. Although they often involve some level
of payment or donation from participants, they
may also involve funding to ensure that all kids
can participate, regardless of their ability to pay.
Other characteristics of successful programs
include being off ered regularly, involving parents,
encouraging sharing, involving nutrition education
and giving children healthy and safe food for
energy to play, learn and grow.21
First Steps:
If there is not already a school-based nutrition
program happening at your child’s school, perhaps
it is time to initiate one. See our “Th rough the
Grapevine” section for a listing of several healthy
schools resources. For general information, visit
www.safehealthyschools.org. To read about healthy
school success stories, including initiatives to
enhance student nutrition, visit the website of the
Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition at www.opha.
on.ca/resources/csh-success.pdf.
Food-Buying Clubs
A food-buying club is one where a group of people
get together to provide food for themselves and
their families. Th ey range in size from fi ve to 50
families or individuals, and usually order every
month or every second month from a wholesaler
or retail distributor. A food-buying club collects
orders from individual families, combines them
and purchases the total quantity at wholesale
prices. Th e distributor delivers the order to a house
or drop-off point in the community where the
order is then divided and distributed to members.
Another type of buying club is the “good food
box” concept. A “good food box” is a food delivery
system in which fresh produce or non-perishable
food is purchased in bulk, and the food is then
delivered to neighbourhoods by volunteers or
consumers.
Th e concept of food-buying clubs is spreading and
can be easily adopted by many communities, as
they are fairly simple to organize and establish
when kept at a small scale. Since there is little
overhead in running a food-buying club, there is no
need to mark up prices or pay membership dues,
which keeps prices low.
First Steps:
Th e Ontario Natural Food Co-op is very supportive
of food-buying clubs. Th e Co-op can provide all
the necessary information on joining or starting a
Part IV Recipe for Success: Strategies for Building Food Security 33

38. Durham’s Child Nutrition Project
Sponsored by the Community Development Council Durham (CDCD), the Durham Child Nutrition
Project (DCNP) utilizes an inclusive approach to ensure that every child in Durham Region attends school
well nourished and ready to learn. As of December 31, 2005, the DCNP provided over one million healthy
breakfasts to 10,932 children in 77 nutrition programs in the Region of Durham. Th is nutrition program
recognizes the fact that there is a strong link between nutrition and the ability to learn.
Th is nutrition program has increased the volunteer base immensely. Th e increased focus on nutritional
awareness, combined with the statistics on child poverty, have motivated family members to approach their
neighbourhood schools to volunteer in this program. Th e school teachers and principals also benefi t from
the dedicated volunteers in this program, as they now have a wealth of diverse cultures in the volunteer pool
and collaborative planning is now occurring in areas such as meal planning, cultural awareness, cultural
food items and language use. Th e immigrant volunteers can communicate with other parents in the school
nutrition program who may not use English as their fi rst language, and everyone benefi ts.
Th e project has wide reaching benefi ts. Children are better prepared to learn once they are fed, they are
exposed to healthy eating habits at an early age and they develop a sense of belonging. Th e program has the
potential for capacity building within each community and children are provided an opportunity to try new
cultural foods. Schools benefi t from an increase in student attendance and punctuality, the potential for
higher concentration/better academic output when children are well nourished and a marked decrease in
behavioural issues in the classroom. Parents are aware that children receive a nourishing breakfast/snack
daily, which means their children are better prepared to learn and excel. Families on a fi xed or limited budget
express gratitude that their children receive a nourishing meal prior to commencing their school day. Parents
who must leave the home to commute to their place of work before their children leave for school express
satisfaction with a program that ensures that each child will commence their learning day well fed and eager
to learn.
Th e most signifi cant result of this program is that children have increased mathematics and reading ability,
children display better behaviour in class, there is a reduction in absenteeism, and the children and their
parents are developing healthy eating habits.
Th is program will have a signifi cant long-term impact on the children’s future and the further development
of Durham Region and the municipalities that comprise it. Th is program can be adapted to fi t in any city,
town or community.
For more information, contact:
Aisha Malik
DCNP Coordinator
Community Development Council Durham
Tel: (905) 686-2661
34 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

39. FoodShare’s Field to Table Schools Program
On May 5, 2005, more than 140 local parents, students, educators, farmers, Toronto Public Health staff
members and “foodies” gathered for an exciting one-day participatory workshop at FoodShare’s Field to
Table Centre on Eastern Avenue. Th e keynote speaker was Marion Kalb, Program Director, National Farm
to School Program in the United States. Marion has helped to build the Farm to School movement so that it
is now operational in 22 states. Workshop participants heard from local key stakeholders on the benefi ts of
adopting a farm to school program, which would enhance children’s ability to eat local, healthy food during
their school day. Th at workshop was the impetus for the establishment of both the Ontario Farm to School
Network and FoodShare’s Field to Table Schools program.
Th e goal of the Field to Table Schools initiative is to develop sustainable school programs that enhance
children’s health while improving the environment through school gardens, composting, salad bar lunches
and links to farmers. Schools will be environmentally friendly ecological centres that will foster an integrated
and holistic approach to food. Students will learn about cooking and how food quality relates to soil fertility,
pest management, seasonal changes, processing for market and transportation.
Th e ideal Field to Table School will be one where the focus is on food literacy and agricultural awareness. For
example, in the ideal Field to Table School:
• all meals and snacks include fresh fruits and vegetables
• pop machines feature water and milk
• there is a vegetable garden tended by student/teacher/parent teams
• students learn about, and participate in, simple food preparation
• recycling organic waste, paper and plastic is convenient
• composting is part of the curriculum
• classrooms have grow lights and seedling trays for herbs and greens
• resource books are up-to-date
• farm trips and farmer visits are frequent
• fund raising does not depend on chocolate bars
• special events do not serve junk food.
Th e Field to Table School seems to be an idea whose time has come, a practical way for parents, educators,
kids and the school community to learn about healthy eating in a positive and exciting way. During the
2005–2006 school year, FoodShare staff were supported by a donation from the Laidlaw Foundation, which
was used to initiate activities in three Toronto pilot schools. Th e results have been positive and expansion
plans are underway.
For more information see www.foodshare.net/school02.htm or contact:
fttschools@foodshare.net.
Tel: (416) 393-6351
Part IV Recipe for Success: Strategies for Building Food Security 35

40. buying club. To hear about these services and more,
visit their website at www.onfc.ca or call (416) 503-
1144.
To fi nd a good food box program in your area,
check the listing of members of the Ontario Good
Food Box Network on Foodshare’s website at www.
foodshare.ca/train08.htm. If you are thinking
of starting a similar program, you should get in
touch with one of these groups to learn from their
experience.
FoodShare has produced a Good Food Box Guide
to help groups set up their own program. It also
contains case studies of some good food box
programs. You may view or download it from www.
foodshare.net/publications_04.htm.
Food Co-operatives
A co-operative is a business and incorporated body
that has a board of directors. It is a democratic
entity that is bound by the Co-operative
Corporations Act. A food co-operative is a group
of people who come together to provide food for
themselves and their families. Co-operatives off er
greater control over food quality, price and source,
and range in size from small groups (fi ve to 10
members) operating
much the same as a
food-buying club to
large groups (100 to
500 members). Many
have a retail outlet that
serves members and
non-members of the co-operative.
To become a member of a co-operative, you may
need to make a commitment to perform tasks
to help the co-op function. As well, many co-operatives
require a fi nancial commitment in the
form of a refundable membership loan.
Th ere are many exciting ways to grow and diversify
food co-operatives. Some have become very
successful and branched into owning restaurants,
coff ee shops and meeting places, while others have
expanded into areas such as community gardening
to supply fresh produce.
First Steps:
For all there is to know about co-op development
and governance, contact:
Th e Ontario Co-operative Association
www.ontario.coop
(519) 763-8271
Th e Canadian Co-operative Association
www.coopscanada.coop
(613) 238-6711
Good Food Box Regional Network
A Good Food Box Regional Network has been
formed in eastern Ontario to help support the work
of community-based Good Food Box programs. This
network meets quarterly to: share information, tools
and resources; identify cost-sharing opportunities;
support new or struggling good food box programs;
and provide ideas and innovation for existing and
established programs. The network currently consists
of representatives from the Community Health Centres
in Portland, Kingston, Merrickville, North Lanark, the
LLG District Health Unit and a member of the John
Howard Society.
For more information contact Kara Symbolic at:
karas@healthycommunities.on.ca
Tel: (613) 267-8426
Peer Education Programs
Many Ontarians have a wide range of food-related
skills and knowledge that they have gained through
cultural, religious, occupational, educational and
family experiences.22 Peer education programs tap
into this valuable community resource to build
capacity of other people throughout the province.
Th e programs establish a network of trained
individuals, often referred to as “advisors” or
“animators,” who engage their local communities in
an eff ort to build food security and adopt safe and
36 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

41. healthy food practices. Community representatives,
who are often volunteers, provide guidance and
support to their communities in diff erent ways.
Some programs work alongside other community
organizations to develop food projects in their
local area, such as community gardens, kitchens
or farmers’ markets. Other programs may focus
more on education, by working with communities
to improve and promote safe and healthy food
selection, preparation and storage practices of
consumers.23
Th e local focus of peer education programs is an
important contributor to their success. Since the
community leaders are also community members,
they have a better feel for local needs and greater
potential for mobilizing fellow members in an
eff ort to build community capacity.
Why Wait?
Peer education programs are active in many areas
of the province. For example, the Community Food
Advisor program operates in 18 areas of Ontario.
Community Food Advisors are trained volunteers,
certifi ed annually, who provide reliable information
and education that promotes safe and nutritious
food selection, preparation and storage practices
to consumers in Ontario. For more information,
contact the Nutrition Resource Centre at 1 (800)
267-6817 or visit www.nutritionrc.ca/programs/cfa-program.
html.
FoodShare (www.foodshare.net) has a Community
Food Animation program, in which has paid
staff and volunteers work with local partners to
animate communities to start food projects in their
neighbourhoods, co-ordinate a network of farmers’
markets, develop food policy recommendations and
assist with project design, evaluation and policy
development.
Th e Region of Waterloo also operates a large peer
nutrition and health worker
program, which as undergone
rigorous evaluation. You can
fi nd information about the
impacts of such programs
at: www.region.waterloo.
on.ca/ph - follow the links for
resources/health status and research studies/peer
programs.
Part IV Recipe for Success: Strategies for Building Food Security 37

42. 38 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

43. 39
THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE:
Learn More About Community Food
Security
Publications
Food Security: More Th an a Determinant of Health.
(2003). McIntyre, L.
Available on-line at: www.irpp.org/po/archive/
mar03/mcintyre.pdf
For Hunger-Proof Cities: Sustainable Urban Food
Systems. (1999).
Koc M, MacRae R, Mougeot L, Welsh J (Editors).
Ottawa: International Development Research
Centre
Check your local library or bookstore
A Systemic Approach to Community Food Security:
A Role for Public Health. (2002). Food Security
Work Group, Ontario Public Health Association
(OPHA).
Available online at: http://www.opha.on.ca/
ppres/2002-01_pp.pdf
Discussion Paper on Household and Individual
Food Insecurity. (2001). Tarasuk, V. Available online
at:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/pol/food_
sec_entire-sec_aliments_entier_e.html
Towards A Healthy Community Food System for
Waterloo Region (2005). Xuereb, M and Desjardins
E. Available on line at: http://chd.region.waterloo.
on.ca – follow the links for resources/health status
and research studies/food issues.
Websites
Ryerson University Centre for Studies in Food
Security
www.ryerson.ca/~foodsec/
Food for the Cities: Food and Agriculture
Organization, United Nations
www.fao.org/fcit/insec.asp
V
The Fundamentals: Understanding, Defi ning and Approaching CFS

44. Food Security Bureau, Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada
www.agr.gc.ca/misb/fsb/fsb-bsa_e.php
Community Food Security Coalition
www.foodsecurity.org
CFS and the Social Determinants of Health
Publications
Th e Social Determinants of Health: An Overview
of the Implications for Policy and the Role of the
Health Sector. (2002). Edwards, P.
Available online at:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ph-sp/phdd/overview_
implications/01_overview.html
Social Determinants of Health – Th e Solid Facts,
2nd edition. (2003).
Wilkinson, R and Marmot, M. (Editors). World
Health Organization.
Available online at: http://www.euro.who.int/
document/e81384.pdf
Strengthening the Social Determinants of Health:
Th e Toronto Charter for a Healthy Canada. (2002).
Available online at: www.socialjustice.org
Chronic Disease, Obesity and Health Promotion
Publications
Th e Case for Prevention: Moving upstream to
Improve Health for all Ontarians. (2006). Ontario
Prevention Clearinghouse. Available online at:
http://www.opc.on.ca/english/about_us/pdfs/
caseforprevention.pdf
Report on the Health Status of the Residents of
Ontario. (2000).
Public Health Research, Education and
Development Program
Available online at:
http://www.opha.on.ca/resources/healthstatus/
english/healthstatus2000.pdf
Oxfam Canada
www.oxfam.ca
Additional Websites
Th e Ram’s Horn
http://www.ramshorn.ca
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO)
Knowledge Depot
http://www.rnaoknowledgedepot.ca/promoting_
health/index.asp
Centre for Social Justice
http://www.socialjustice.org/csjabout.php
Chronic Disease in Ontario and Canada:
Determinants, Risk Factors and Prevention
Priorities. (2006). E. Haydon et. al. Ontario Chronic
Disease Prevention Alliance the Ontario Public
Health Association.
Available online at: http://www.cdpac.ca/content/
pdf/CDPsummary%20report.pdf
Preventing Chronic Diseases: A Vital Investment.
(2005).
World Health Organization and Th e Public Health
Agency of Canada
Available online at: http://www.who.int/chp/
chronic_disease_report/en
40 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

45. If the Health Care System Believed You Are What
You Eat: Strategies to Integrate our Food and Health
Systems. (1997). Toronto Food Policy Council
Available online at: http://www.toronto.ca/health/
tfpc_discussion_paper.htm
Healthy Weights, Healthy Lives: 2004 Chief
Medical Offi cer of Health Report. Dr. Sheila
Basrur. Available online at: http://www.health.
gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ministry_reports/
cmoh04_report/cmoh_04.html
Additional Websites
World Health Organization: Department of
Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion
http://www.who.int/chp/about/integrated_cd/en/
World Health Organization: Global Strategy on
Diet, Physical Activity and Health
http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/
publications/facts/riskfactors/en/index.html
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Control: Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ccdpc-cpcmc/topics/
chronic-disease_e.html
Poverty, Inclusion and Social Development
Publications
Population Health: Social Inclusion as a
Determinant of Health. (2002).
Galabuzi, GE and Labonte, R. Public Health Agency
of Canada
Available online at:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ph-sp/phdd/overview_
implications/03_inclusion.html
Reducing Urban Hunger in Ontario: policy
responses to support the transition from food
charity to local food security. (1995). Toronto Food
Policy Council.
Available online at: http://www.toronto.ca/health/
tfpc_discussion_paper.htm
Urban Poverty in Canada: A Statistical Profi le.
(2000). Lee, Kevin K.
Canadian Council on Social Development
Available online at: www.ccsd.ca/pubs/2000/up
Report Card on Child Poverty in Ontario. (2003).
Ontario Campaign 2000, Toronto
Available online at: http://www.campaign2000.
ca/rc/ONrc03/ONrcO3eng.pdf
Poverty Fact Sheet. (2000).
Peterborough Social Planning Council
Available online at: http://www.pspc.on.ca/pdf/
Poverty%20Fact%20Sheet.PDF
Additional Websites
Th e Canadian Council on Social Development
www.ccsd.ca
Make Poverty History Campaign, Oxfam
International
www.makepovertyhistory.ca
United Way Canada
www.unitedway.ca
Community Foundations of Canada
http://www.cfc-fcc.ca/services/index.cfm
Inclusive Cities Canada
http://www.inclusivecities.ca/about/index.html
Child and Youth Health Network for Eastern
Ontario
http://www.child-youth-health.net/home.htm
Part V Through the Grapevine: Learn More About Community Food Security 41

46. (follow the “publications” tab to get to the fi ve
Poverty Report Books for various parts of Eastern
Ontario)
School-based Nutrition Programs and Policies
Publications
Making Ontario Schools Healthier Places to Learn.
(2004).
Education Minister Gerard Kennedy. Ministry of
Education, Government of Ontario.
Available online at:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/reports/
healthyschools/report.pdf
Eff ectiveness of School Programs in Preventing
Childhood Obesity: A Multilevel Comparison.
(2005). P..J. Veugelers, PhD and A..L. Fitzgerald,
MSc.
American Journal of Public Health: March 2005,
Vol. 95, No.3 200595:432 435.
Healthy School Food Policies: A Checklist. (2002).
M. Vallianatos M. Center for Food and Justice,
Urban and Environmental Policy Institute.
Available online at:
www.departments.oxy.edu/uepi/cfj /publications/
healthy_school_food_policies_05.pdf
Achieving the Vision of Healthy Schools across
Ontario: Priority Areas for Action. (2005). Ontario
Health Schools Coalition. Available online at:
http://www.opha.on.ca/resources/OHSC-Report-
8Jun05.pdf
Community Food Security and Urban Planning
Publications
Th e Way to a City’s Heart is through its Stomach:
Putting Food Security on the Urban Planning Menu.
(2001). Roberts, W. Toronto Food Policy Council.
Available online at: http://www.toronto.ca/health/
tfpc_discussion_paper.htm
BC Food Systems Network Society
http://www.fooddemocracy.org
Food for Th ought: Schools and Nutrition. (1997).
Health Canada. Available online at: http://www.
hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/alt_formats/hpfb-dgpsa/pdf/
nutrition/food_thought_schools-refl ection_
aliments_ecole_e.pdf
Additional Websites
Breakfast for Learning: Canadian Living
Foundation
www.breakfastforlearning.ca
Communities and Schools Promoting Health
www.safehealthyschools.org
Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition, Ontario Public
Health Association
http://www.opha.on.ca/ohsc/
Living School: Building Healthier Communities
Ontario Physical and Health Education Association
(OPHEA)
http://www.livingschool.ca/
Food in Schools Toolkit: British Nutrition
Foundation. http://foodinschools.datacenta.uk.net/
Food Retail Structure and Food Security. (1996).
Toronto Food Policy Council. Available online at:
http://www.toronto.ca/health/tfpc_discussion_
paper.htm
Additional Websites:
Centre for Research on Inner City Health: St.
Michael’s Hospital
http://www.crich.ca/
42 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

47. Food Production and the Future of Farming
Publications
Farming and You: Re-examining the Relationship
between Farmers and Consumers. (2001). Shamley,
F. and Jacobs, A. Ontario Healthy Communities
Coalition Update: Spring/Summer 2001. Available
online at: www.healthycommunities.on.ca/
publications/newsletter/S_S01EN.PDF
Policy on Sustainable Agriculture. National Farmers
Union.
www.nfu.ca/sustag.htm
Setting a New Direction: Changing the Agricultural
Policy Making Process. (1995). Toronto Food Policy
Council. Available online at: http://www.toronto.
ca/health/tfpc_discussion_paper.htm
Additional Websites:
Sustainable Agriculture Production and
Consumption Forum.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
www.agrifood-forum.net
Inter Pares
http://www.interpares.ca/en/what/food.php
Food Security Bureau, Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada
http://www.agr.gc.ca/misb/fsb/fsb-bsa_
e.php?page=index
Farming Solutions: Success Stories for the Future of
Farming
www.farmingsolutions.org
International Institute for Sustainable Development
(IISD)
www.iisd.org/
Beyond Factory Farming Coalition
www.beyondfactoryfarming.org
World Health Organization
Th e Department of Food Safety, Zoonoses and
Foodborne Diseases
www.who.int/foodsafety
Food Safety Network: University of Guelph
http://www.foodsafetynetwork.ca/en/index.php
In Focus: Growing Better Cities – Urban
Agriculture for Sustainable Development.
International Development Research Centre
www.idrc.ca/en/ev-92997-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
Canadian Organic Growers
www.cog.ca
Importing and Transporting Food
Publications
Fighting Global Warming at the Farmer’s Market:
Th e Role of the Local Food Systems in Reducing
Greenhouse Gas Emission, Second Edition. (2005).
Bentley, S. and Barker, R. FoodShare Toronto.
Available online at: http://www.foodshare.net/
resource/fi les/ACF230.pdf
Food Miles: Environmental Implications of Food
Imports to Waterloo Region. (2005)
Xuereb M. Region of Waterloo Public Health.
Available online at: www.chd.region.waterloo.on.ca
Eating Oil: Food Supply in a Changing Climate.
(2001). Jones, A. Elm Farm Research Centre, U.K.
Available online at: www.sustainweb.org/chain_
fm_eat.asp
Additional Websites
Sierra Club of Canada
www.sierraclub.ca
Lifecycles Project Society: Food Miles Initiative
www.lifecyclesproject.ca/initiatives/food_miles/
Part V Through the Grapevine: Learn More About Community Food Security 43

48. Green Ontario: Conserver Solutions for a Healthy
Ontario.
Th e Conservation Council of Ontario.
www.greenontario.org
International Institute for Sustainable Development
(IISD) Linkages: A Multimedia Resource for
Environment and Development Policy Makers
www.iisd.ca
Sustainable Table: Serving Up Healthy Food
Choices
www.sustainabletable.org
Th e FoodShed Project – Th inking Ecologically! A
Sustainable Eating Initiative
www.foodshedproject.ca/food_security.htm
Oxfam International: Make Trade Fair Campaign
www.maketradefair.com
International Federation for Alternative Trade
www.ifat.org
Healthy Policy: Development and Advocacy
Publications
Th ought About Food? A Workbook on Food Security
and Infl uencing Policy. (2005). Food Security
Projects of the Nova Scotia Nutrition Council and
the Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre,
Dalhousie University
Available online at: www.foodthoughtful.ca
Developing Health Promotion Policies, Version 1.0
(2004). Th e Health Communication Unit, Centre
for Health Promotion, University of Toronto.
Available online at www.thcu.ca/infoandresources.
htm
Community Advocacy Toolkit (2003). Breakfast for
Learning, Canadian Living Foundation
Available online at: www.breakfastforlearning.ca
Taking Action through Public Policy: A Focus
on Health and Environment Issues. (2002).
Community Animation Program, Environment
Canada Health Canada. Available online at:
www.atl.ec.gc.ca/community/cap_taking_action_
through_public_policy/index_e.html
School Community Cooperation for Healthy
Eating – School Food Policies. Community and
Schools Promoting Health. Th is site provides links
to several web-based documents that describe
eff ective policies and policy-making for school
food policies. Th e issue of fundraising is covered
specifi cally because it is often cited as the key
barrier. www.safehealthyschools.org/healthyeating/
school_food_policies.htm
Additional Websites:
VOICE in Health Policy
www.projectvoice.ca
Toronto Food Policy Council
http://www.toronto.ca/health/tfpc_index.htm
FoodShare
http://www.foodshare.net/foodpolicy03.htm
Health Canada: Offi ce of Nutrition Policy and
Promotion
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/branch-dirgen/hpfb-dgpsa/
onpp-bppn/index_e.html
Institute on Governance: Building Policy Capacity
http://www.iog.ca/knowledge_areas.
asp?pageID=4area=3
Canadian Public Health Association: Policy and
Advocacy
http://www.cpha.ca/english/policy/policy.htm
44 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

49. Taking Action: Food Security Workgroups and Councils
FoodShare: Field to Table
www.foodshare.net
Toronto Food and Hunger Action Committee
http://www.toronto.ca/food_hunger/
Food Security Workgroup
Ontario Public Health Association
www.opha.on.ca/foodnet/
Ottawa Food Security Council
www.spcottawa.on.ca/ofsc/
Toronto Food Policy Council
www.city.toronto.on.ca/health/tfpc_index.htm
Food Link Waterloo Region
www.foodlink-waterlooregion.ca/
Th under Bay Food Action Network and District
Health Unit
www.tbdhu.com/food/security/default.htm
Sudbury-Manitoulin Food Security Network
http://communities.mysudbury.ca/Sites/
foodsecurity/default.aspx
Th e Foodshed Project
http://www.foodshedproject.ca/
Food Security Resource Centres
Ryerson University Centre for Studies in Food
Security
www.ryerson.ca/~foodsec/
Nutrition Resource Centre
http://www.nutritionrc.ca
Ontario Public Health Association
http://www.opha.on.ca/resources/issues.html
FoodShare Learning Centre
http://www.foodshare.net/lrcMAIN.htm
Food and Agricultural Association (FAO) of the
United Nations: Publications and Documents
http://www.fao.org/publishing/
Part V Through the Grapevine: Learn More About Community Food Security 45

50. 46 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

51. GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS VI
47
Access is defi ned as having the right, opportunity
or ability to reach, enter or use a facility, program,
service or materials; visit a person or people;
and/or receive, understand and use information,
knowledge or skills. (adapted from Th e City of
Toronto Task Force on Community Access Equity:
Glossary of Access and Equity Terms 1998–1999)
Advocacy is the act of supporting or arguing in
favour of a cause, policy or idea. It is undertaken to
infl uence public opinion and societal attitudes or
to bring about changes in government, community
or institutional policies. (adapted from the Kidney
Foundation of Canada Advocacy Handbook)
Biodiversity refers to the variability among living
organisms, including diversity within species,
between species and of ecosystems. (Environment
Canada, International Relations Glossary)
Biotechnology is any technique that uses
biological systems, living organisms or parts of
organisms to develop or modify products for
specifi c uses. (adapted from the World Foundation
for Environment and Development)
Chronic diseases are typically characterized as
prolonged conditions that have an uncertain cause
or origin, multiple risk factors, a non-infectious
origin and are often preventable. Examples include
cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke),
cancer, diabetes, arthritis, asthma and mental
illness. (adapted from the Centre for Chronic
Disease Prevention and Control)
Community usually refers a geographic location
– a place where a group of individuals reside and
are subject to the same laws. Community can
also refer to a group of individuals with common
characteristics, beliefs, values or interests (e.g., a
faith-based community). As well, communities
can be composed of individuals sharing a range of
common needs or experiences (e.g., the need for
physical accommodation, the experience of racism).
What is crucial to any “community,” however, is the
sense of belonging or attachment that individuals
have with one another and/or their environment.
(adapted from Th e City of Toronto Task Force on
Community Access Equity: Glossary of Access and
Equity Terms 1998–1999)

52. Community development is a process designed
to create conditions of economic and social
progress for the whole community with its active
participation and fullest possible reliance upon the
community’s initiative. (United Nations: 1948)
Community food security is a situation in
which all community residents obtain a safe,
culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diet
through a sustainable food system that maximizes
self-reliance and social justice. (Hamm and
Bellows, 2003). Food security also includes being
able to make a living by growing and producing
food in ways that protect and support both the
land, sea and the food producers, and that ensure
that there will be healthy food for our children’s
children. (Food Security Projects of the Nova
Scotia Nutrition Council and the Atlantic Health
Promotion Research Centre, Dalhousie University)
Culture refers to the way groups of people
have learned or have had to live together by
sharing certain historical experiences, including
ideas, beliefs, values, knowledge and historical,
geographical, linguistic, racial, religious, ethnic or
social traditions. Culture is a complex and dynamic
organization of meaning, knowledge, artifacts and
symbols that guide human behaviour, account
for shared patterns of thought and action and
contribute to human, social and physical survival.
Culture is transmitted, reinforced and passed on
from generation to generation and is constantly
changing. (adapted from Th e City of Toronto Task
Force on Community Access Equity: Glossary of
Access and Equity Terms 1998–1999)
Determinants of health are the range of
personal, social, economic and environmental
factors that determine the health status of
individuals or populations. (World Health
Organization Health Promotion Glossary, 1999).
Specifi cally, the social determinants of health arise
from historical, social, cultural, economic and
political circumstances that produce inequalities of
health in populations. (Dietitians of Canada)
Ecosystem is an integrated and stable association
of living resources (plant, animals and micro-organisms)
and non-living resources functioning
within a defi ned physical location. (Environment
Canada, International Relations Glossary)
Fair trade is a trading partnership based on
dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks
greater equity in international trade. It contributes
to sustainable development by off ering better
trading conditions to, and securing the rights of,
marginalized producers and workers – particularly
in Th ird World countries. (International Federation
for Alternative Trade)
Food bank is a broad term for an organization
or entity that acquires, stores and distributes food
to the needy in their community. Food banks are
typically supported by community food drives and
umbrella organizations, as well as grocery stores,
local agriculture, food manufacturers and other
distributors. Th ere are approximately 200 food
banks in Ontario today. Although a typical food
bank is somewhat diff erent from an emergency
food program, it may also off er those services,
alongside others such as clothing and counselling.
(Ontario Association of Food Banks)
Food Security – see Community Food Security
Food insecurity is the opposite of food security.
Food insecurity refers to limited or uncertain
access to nutritious, safe foods necessary to lead a
healthy lifestyle; households that experience food
insecurity have reduced quality or variety of meals
and may have irregular food intake. (United States
Department of Agriculture, Life Research Offi ce)
Food safety refers to the concept of food being
free from all hazards, whether chronic or acute,
that make food injurious to the health of the
consumer. (World Health Organization)
Food-borne illnesses are defi ned as diseases,
usually either infectious or toxic in nature, caused
by agents that enter the body through the ingestion
of food. (World Health Organization)
48 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

53. Fossil fuels are fuels containing carbon – coal,
oil and gas – that were formed over millions of
years through the decay, burial and compaction of
rotting vegetation on land and of marine organisms
on the sea fl oor. Burning fossil fuels is the major
way in which humans add to the greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere, causing air pollution and
contributing to climate change. (Climate Change
North, Yukon Conservation Society)
Genetic pollution refers to the uncontrolled
spread of genetic information into the genomes of
organisms in which such genes are not present in
nature. (Food and Agriculture Association of the
United Nations)
Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere
that trap the sun’s energy and thereby contribute to
rising surface temperatures. Th e main greenhouse
gas that contributes to climate change is carbon
dioxide (CO2), a by-product of burning fossil
fuels. Other greenhouse gases include methane
(from agricultural sources) and nitrous oxide
(from industrial sources). (Environment Canada,
International Relations Glossary)
Health is a state of complete physical, social and
mental well-being, and not merely the absence
of disease or infi rmity. Health is a resource for
everyday life, not the object of living. It is a positive
concept emphasizing social and personal resources
as well as physical capabilities. (World Health
Organization)
Health disparities/inequalities are
population-specifi c diff erences in the presence of
disease, health outcomes or access to healthcare.
Health disparities that result from diff erences
in socioeconomic status follow a gradient that
is commonly known as the social gradient.
(adapted from the Health Resources and Services
Administration, United States Department of
Health and Human Services)
Health promotion is the process of enabling
people to increase control over their health and
to improve their health. Th is can be achieved
through advocacy to create the essential conditions
for health indicated above; enabling all people to
achieve their full health potential; and mediating
between the diff erent interests in society in the
pursuit of health. (adapted from Ottawa Charter
for Health Promotion. WHO Geneva, 1986)
Healthy public policy is characterized by an
explicit concern for health and equity in all areas
of policy, and by an accountability for how policy
impacts health. Th e main aim of healthy public
policy is to create a supportive environment to
enable people to lead healthy lives and make
healthy choices easier for citizens. (adapted from
World Health Organization Health Promotion
Glossary, 1998)
Job security refers to a worker’s sense of having
continuity of employment resulting from the
possession of special skills, seniority or protection
provided in a collective agreement against
unforeseen change. (Saskatoon and District Labour
Council, glossary of terms www.sfn.saskatoon.
sk.ca/business/sdlc)
Malnutrition is a state of poor nutrition that can
result from an insuffi cient, excessive or unbalanced
diet. It can also refer to the diffi culty or inability to
absorb foods.
Population health is an approach that aims to
improve the health of the entire population and to
reduce health inequities among population groups.
In order to reach these objectives, it looks at and
acts upon the broad range of factors and conditions
that have a strong infl uence on our health. (Public
Health Agency of Canada, What is Population
Health?)
Poverty is the state of being without adequate
food, shelter or other basic necessities of life. In
economic terms, there are two kinds of poverty:
absolute and relative. Absolute poverty is a defi ned
standard that has been agreed upon by experts and
many countries. For many, absolute poverty also
has two major classifi cations. Th ere is extreme
poverty, where an individual lives on less than one
dollar a day, and there is moderate poverty, where
an individual lives on between one and two dollars
Part VI Glossary of Key Terms 49

54. a day. Relative poverty is dependent on the country
or region, as well as the social context. (Ontario
Association of Food Banks)
Prevention is a proactive process that includes
measures that not only prevent the occurrence
of disease, such as risk factor reduction, but also
arrest its progress and reduce its consequences
once established. (adapted from the World Health
Organization Health Promotion Glossary, 1998)
Social exclusion describes the structures and
processes of inequality among groups in society.
In the Canadian context, social exclusion refers
to the inability of certain groups or individuals to
participate fully in Canadian life due to structural
inequalities in access to social, economic, political
and cultural resources. Th ese inequalities arise
out of oppression related to race, class, gender,
disability, sexual orientation, immigrant status and
religion. (G.E. Galabuzi and R. Labonte in “Social
Inclusion as a Determinant of Health”)
Social inclusion is the capacity and willingness of
our society to keep all groups within reach of what
we expect as a society – the social commitment
and investments necessary to ensure that socially
and economically vulnerable people are within
reach of our common aspirations, common life and
its common wealth. (Laidlaw Foundation)
Social justice is a concept based upon the
belief that each individual and group within a
given society has a right to civil liberties, equal
opportunity, fairness, and participation in the
educational, economic, institutional, social and
moral freedoms and responsibilities valued by
the community. (R. Degan and Dr. M. Disman in
“Cultural Competency Handbook,” Department of
Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto)
Social support is defi ned as the assistance
available to individuals and groups from within
communities that can provide a buff er against
adverse life events and living conditions, and can
provide a positive resource for enhancing the
quality of life. (World Health Organization Health
Promotion Glossary, 1998)
Sustainable agriculture is a method of farming
that provides a secure living for farm families;
maintains the natural environment and resources;
supports the rural community; and off ers respect
and fair treatment to all involved, from farm
workers to consumers to the animals raised for
food. Sustainable agriculture meets the needs of
the current generation while conserving resources
for the use of future generations. (Sustainable
Table, www.bctheorganicway.com/glossary.htm)
50 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

55. 51
1. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Food Security
Bureau. Canada’s Action Plan for Food Security – A
response to the World Food Summit, www.agr.gc.ca/
misb/fsb/fsb-bsa_e.php?page=index; accessed
April 2006
2. Ibid; Facts About Food Security
3. Ibid; The World Food Summit
4. Dietitians of Canada (2005). Individual and
Household Food Insecurity in Canada: Position of
Dietitians of Canada. www.dietitians.ca/news/
downloads/Food_Insecurity_position.pdf; p 2.
5. Koc M et al. (eds). (1999). For Hunger-Proof
Cities: Sustainable Urban Food Systems, Ottawa:
International Development Research Centre, p 1.
REFERENCES
1. Hamm, M.W. and Bellows, A.C. Community
Food Security and Nutrition Educators. Journal of
Nutrition, Education and Behavior. 2003; 35: pp.
27-43
2. Ontario Public Health Association (1995). Food for
Now and the Future, Discussion Paper, www.opha.
on.ca/foodnet/foodfornow.html
3. Koc M et al. (eds). (1999). For Hunger-Proof
Cities: Sustainable Urban Food Systems, Ottawa:
International Development Research Centre, p 1.
4. Middlesex-London Health Unit and London
Community Resource Centre (2003). Get Cooking:
Collective Kitchen Handbook
5. Tarasuk, V. (2001). Discussion Paper on Household
and Individual Food Insecurity. www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/
nutrition/pol/food_sec_entire-sec_aliments_
entier_e.html
6. Hamelin A.M., Beaudry M. Habicht J.P. (2002)
Characterization of household food insecurity in
Quebec: food and feelings. Soc Sci Med 2002;
54(1):119-32.
7. Ibid; p 129.
8. Ontario Public Health Association (2002). A
Systemic Approach to Community Food Security:
A Role for Public Health, www.opha.on.ca/
ppres/2002-01_pp.pdf
Introduction
Part One – From the Root Up: Community Food Security Defi ned
VII

56. 9. Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse in collaboration
with the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition
(1994). Using Stories to Guide Action. www.opc.
on.ca/english/our_programs/hlth_promo/
resources/stories/sec_1.pdf
10. Dietitians of Canada (2005). Individual and
Household Food Insecurity in Canada: Position of
Dietitians of Canada. www.dietitians.ca/news/
downloads/Food_Insecurity_position.pdf; p 1
11. Ibid; p 3.
Part Two – You Are What You Eat: Food Security Health
1. Wilkinson R. and Marmot M. (eds) (2003). Social
Determinants of Health – The Solid Facts, 2nd
edition. Copenhagen: World Health Organization.
www.euro.who.int/document/e81384.pdf; p 11.
2. Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse (2006). The Case
for Prevention: Moving upstream to Improve Health
for all Ontarians; p 4.
3. Edwards P. in collaboration with Health Canada.
(2002). The Social Determinants of Health: An
Overview of the Implications for Policy and the Role
of the Health Sector. www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ph-sp/
phdd/overview_implications/01_overview.html; p
1.
4. Strengthening the Social Determinants of Health:
The Toronto Charter for A Healthy Canada (2002).
www.socialjustice.org; p 1.
5. Edwards P. in collaboration with Health Canada.
(2002). The Social Determinants of Health: An
Overview of the Implications for Policy and the Role
of the Health Sector. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/
ph-sp/phdd/overview_implications/01_overview.
html; p 3.
6. Shaw M., Darling D., Gordon D. and Davey Smith
G. (1999). The Widening Gap: Health Inequalities and
Policy in Britain. Bristol: The Policy Press.
7. Wilkinson R. and Marmot M. (eds) (2003). Social
Determinants of Health – The Solid Facts, 2nd
edition. Copenhagen: World Health Organization.
http://www.euro.who.int/document/e81384.pdf; p
10.
8. Ibid; p 26.
9. Garriguet, Didier. Overview of Canadians’ Eating
Habits 2004: Nutrition: Findings from the Canadian
Community Health Survey. Statistics Canada 2006.
pg. 14
10. Strengthening the Social Determinants of Health: The
Toronto Charter for A Healthy Canada (2002). www.
socialjustice.org; p 2.
11. Edwards P. in collaboration with Health Canada.
(2002). The Social Determinants of Health: An
Overview of the Implications for Policy and the Role
of the Health Sector. www.phacaspc.gc.ca/phsp/
phdd/overview_implications/01_overview.html; p
2 – Health Canada
12. Strengthening the Social Determinants of Health: The
Toronto Charter for A Healthy Canada (2002). www.
socialjustice.org; p 1.
13. Wilkinson R. and Marmot M. (eds) (2003). Social
Determinants of Health – The Solid Facts, 2nd
edition. Copenhagen: World Health Organization.
www.euro.who.int/document/e81384.pdf; p 26.
14. Ibid; p 26.
15. Ibid; p 26.
16. Statistics Canada. (1997). Selected Leading Causes
of Death by Sex. www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/
health36.htm
17. World Health Organization. Chronic Diseases
and Health Promotion www.who.int/chp/about/
integrated_cd/en/; accessed April 2006
18. Statistics Canada. (1997). Selected Leading Causes
of Death by Sex. www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/
health36.htm
19. Wilkinson R. and Marmot M. (eds) (2003). Social
Determinants of Health – The Solid Facts, 2nd
edition. Copenhagen: World Health Organization.
www.euro.who.int/document/e81384.pdf; p 26.
20. World Health Organization. Global Strategy on
Diet, Physical Activity and Health: Chronic Disease
Risk Factors. www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/
publications/facts/riskfactors/en/index.html;
accessed April 2006.
21. Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control,
Public Health Agency of Canada. Health Topics:
Chronic Disease. www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ccdpc-cpcmc/
topics/chronic-disease_e.html; accessed
April 2006.
52 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

57. 22. Sierra Club of Canada. Agriculture, Climate Change
and Health. www.sierraclub.ca/national/programs/
health-environment/food-agriculture/campaign.
shtml?x=840; accessed April 2006.
23. Hood, E. (2005). Dwelling Disparities: How Poor
Housing Leads to Poor Health. National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences, Environmental
Health Perspectives May 2005; 113(5) www.
ehponline.org/members/2005/113-5/focus.html
24. Region of Waterloo Public Health. A Glance at
Access to Food. September, 2004)
25. Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control,
Public Health Agency of Canada. Health Topics:
Immigrant Health. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/
ccdpc-cpcmc/topics/immigrant_e.html; accessed
April 2006.
26. Ibid.
27. Region of Waterloo Public Health. A Glance at Diet,
Weight and Diabetes. October 2004.
28. Haydon E et. al. (2006). Chronic Disease in Ontario
and Canada: Determinants, Risk Factors and
Prevention Priorities. Ontario Chronic Disease
Prevention Alliance the Ontario Public Health
Association. www.cdpac.ca/content/pdf/
CDPsummary%20report.pdf
29. World Health Organization and The Public Health
Agency of Canada. (2005). Preventing Chronic
Diseases: A Vital Investment. www.who.int/chp/
chronic_disease_report/en; p 15.
Part Three – Digging Deeper: Community Food Security Issues
1. Wilkinson R. and Marmot M. (eds) (2003). Social
Determinants of Health – The Solid Facts, 2nd
edition. Copenhagen: World Health Organization.
www.euro.who.int/document/e81384.pdf; p 17.
2. Dietitians of Canada (2005). Individual and
Household Food Insecurity in Canada: Position of
Dietitians of Canada. www.dietitians.ca/news/
downloads/Food_Insecurity_position.pdf; p 6.
3. Toronto Charter for a Healthy Canada. (2002).
Online at: www.socialjustice.org; p 2.
4. Dietitians of Canada (2005). Individual and
Household Food Insecurity in Canada: Position of
Dietitians of Canada. www.dietitians.ca/news/
downloads/Food_Insecurity_position.pdf; p 7.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Region of Waterloo Public Health. A Glance at
Access to Food. Sept., 2004.new
8. Region of Waterloo Public Health. The Cost of
Healthy Eating in Waterloo Region. 2005
9. Dieticians of Canada (2005). Individual and
Household Food Insecurity in Canada: Position
of Dieticians of Canada. http://www.dietitians.
ca/news/downloads/Food Insecurity_position.pdf;
p 7
10. Canadian Council on Social Development. (2002).
Child poverty rates by province, Canada, 1990 - 1996.
www.ccsd.ca/factsheets/fscphis2.htm.
11. Driscoll, A.K. Moore, K.A. (1999). The relationship
of welfare receipt to child outcomes. Journal of
Family and Economic Issues, 20(1), 85–113.
12. Ontario Campaign 2000, Toronto. (2003). 2003
Report Card on Child Poverty in Ontario. www.
campaign2000.ca/rc/ONrc03/ONrcO3eng.pdf; p 2.
13. Wilkinson R. and Marmot M. (eds) (2003). Social
Determinants of Health – The Solid Facts, 2nd
edition. Copenhagen: World Health Organization.
www.euro.who.int/document/e81384.pdf; p 17.
14. Galabuzi G.E Labonte R. Population Health: Social
Inclusion as a Determinant of Health. Public Health
Agency of Canada, www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ph-sp/
phdd/overview_implications/03_inclusion.html.
Accessed April 2006.
15. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Food Security
Bureau. Canada’s Action Plan for Food Security – A
response to the World Food Summit, www.agr.gc.ca/
misb/fsb/fsb-bsa_e.php?page=index; accessed
April 2006
16. Toronto Charter for a Healthy Canada. (2002).
Online at: www.socialjustice.org; p 2.
17. Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse ( 2006). The Case
for Prevention: Moving upstream to Improve Health
for all Ontarians; p 9.
18. Ibid.
19. Kennedy, Gerard. (2004). Making Ontario Schools
Healthier Places to Learn. Ministry of Education,
Government of Ontario. www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/
document/reports/healthyschools/report.pdf; p 2.
Part VII References 53

58. 20. Canadian Nurses Association. (2001). Position
Statement: Food Safety and Security are
Determinants of Health. www.cna-nurses.ca/CNA/
issues/position/primary/default_e.aspx; p 1.
21. Kennedy, Gerard. (2004). Making Ontario Schools
Healthier Places to Learn. Ministry of Education,
Government of Ontario. www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/
document/reports/healthyschools/report.pdf; p 2.
22. Canadian Nurses Association. (2001). Position
Statement: Food Safety and Security are
Determinants of Health; p 1.
23. Wilkinson R. and Marmot M. (eds) (2003). Social
Determinants of Health – The Solid Facts, 2nd
edition. Copenhagen: World Health Organization.
www.euro.who.int/document/e81384.pdf; p 26.
24. Food Security Projects, Nova Scotia Nutrition
Council the Atlantic Health Promotion Research
Centre, Dalhousie University. (2005). Thought
About Food? A Workbook on Food Security
Infl uencing Policy. www.foodthoughtful.ca; p 11.
25. Ibid.
26. Breakfast for Learning, Canadian Living
Foundation. Resources: Childhood Obesity in
Canada. www.breakfastforlearning.ca. Accessed
April, 2006.
27. Ibid.
28. Media Awareness Network. Cereal and Junk Food
Advertising Handout. www.mediaawarness.ca.
Accessed April 2006.
29. Tremblay MS, Willms JD. (2000). Secular trends in
the body mass index of Canadian children. www.
cma.ca/cmaj/vol-163/issue-11/1429.htm[Abstract/
Full Text] CMAJ 2000;163(11):1429-33.
30. Kennedy, Gerard. (2004). Making Ontario Schools
Healthier Places to Learn. Ministry of Education,
Government of Ontario. www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/
document/reports/healthyschools/report.pdf; p 4.
31. Ibid; p 2.
32. Breakfast for Learning, Canadian Living
Foundation. Our Mission: Nourishing Canada’s
Children. www.breakfastforlearning.ca. Accessed
April 2006.
33. Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse (February
2006). The Case for Prevention: Moving upstream to
Improve Health for all Ontarians; p 6.
34. Breakfast for Learning, Canadian Living
Foundation. Our Mission: Nourishing Canada’s
Children. www.breakfastforlearning.ca. Accessed
April 2006.
35. Veugelers PJ, PhD Fitzgerald AL, MSc. (2005).
Eff ectiveness of School Programs in Preventing
Childhood Obesity: A Multilevel Comparison.
American Journal of Public Health: March 2005,
Vol. 95, No.3 200595:432 435.
36. Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse (2006). The Case
for Prevention: Moving upstream to Improve Health
for all Ontarians; p 4.
37. World Health Organization. Health Impact
Assessment: The Determinants of Health. www.who.
int/hia/evidence/doh/en/; accessed April 2006.
38. Region of Waterloo Public Health. A Glance at
Access to Food. Sept., 2004.new
39. Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal. Places
to Grow – Growth Plan for the Greater Golden
Horseshoe. 2006 new
40. Barbolet B. (2002). Bringing Food Back Home.
Shared Vision Magazine, August 2002.
41. Ibid.
42. Farming Solutions. Background: The Future of
Farming. www.farmingsolutions.org; accessed
April 2006.
43. Shamley F and Jacobs A. (2001). Farming and You:
Re-examining the Relationship Between Farmers
and Consumers. Ontario Healthy Communities
Coalition Update: Spring/Summer 2001; p 10.
44. World Health Organization, Food Safety site.
Chemical Risks in Food. www.who.int/foodsafety/
chem/en/ accessed April 2006.
45. Ibid.
46. Canada’s Digital Collections, Government of
Canada. Agromedia: Biotechnology, Major Concerns.
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/highway/english/index.
html; accessed April 2006.
47. Desjardins, E. et al. Protecting Our Food Supply
– Public Health Implications of Food Biotechnology.
Ontario Public Health Association. 2001 accessed
on-line Sept. 20, 2006 at www.opha.on.ca/
ppres/2001-01_pp.pdf new
48. Canadian Nurses Association. (2001). Position
Statement: Food Safety and Security are
Determinants of Health; p 1.
54 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide

59. 49. MacRae, R. et al. Ontario Goes Organic: How to
Access Canada’s Growing Billion Dollar Market
for Organic Food. World Wildlife Fund Canada
and the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada.
2006. accessed on-line Sept. 20, 2006 from the
Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada at www.
organicagcentre.ca new
50. Canada’s Digital Collections, Government of
Canada. Agromedia: Biotechnology, Major Concerns.
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/highway/english/index.
html; accessed April, 2006.
51. National Farmer’s Union. NFU Sustainable
Agriculture Policy. www.nfu.ca/sustag.htm;
accessed April 2006.
52. Shamley F and Jacobs A. (2001). Farming and You:
Re-examining the Relationship Between Farmers
and Consumers. Ontario Healthy Communities
Coalition Update: Spring/Summer 2001; p 1.
53. Ontario Federation of Agriculture. Fact Sheet:
Considering Life in the Country? www.ofa.on.ca;
accessed April 2006.
54. Ibid. Fact Sheet: Ontario Farmers – Food For
Thought.
55. Shamley F. and Jacobs A. (2001). Farming and You:
Re-examining the Relationship Between Farmers
and Consumers. Ontario Healthy Communities
Coalition Update: Spring/Summer 2001; p 1.
56. Ibid.
57. Ibid.
58. Ibid; p 7.
59. Region of Waterloo. Rural Health Study. 2003
60. Martin Luther King, as quoted by Oxfam
International on www.maketradefair.com
61. Xuereb, Mark. Food Miles: Environmental
Implications of Food Imports to Waterloo Region.
Region of Waterloo Public Health. November 2005
62. Xuereb M. (2005). Food Miles: Environmental
Implications of Food Imports to Waterloo Region.
Region of Waterloo Public Health. www.chd.
region.waterloo.on.ca; p 3.
63. Bentley S and Barker R. (April 2005). Fighting Global
Warming at the Farmer’s Market: The Role of the
Local Food Systems in Reducing Greenhouse Gas
Emission, Second Edition. FoodShare Toronto. www.
foodshare.net/resource/fi les/ACF230.pdf; accessed
May 2006.
64. Sierra Club of Canada. Atmosphere and Energy:
Climate Change. www.sierraclub.ca/national/
programs/health-environment/food-agriculture/
campaign.shtml?x=840; accessed April 2006.
65. Sierra Club of Canada. Safe Food and Sustainable
Agriculture: Food Miles Campaign. www.sierraclub.
ca/national/programs/health-environment/food-agriculture/
campaign.shtml?x=840; accessed April
2006.
66. Ibid.
67. Oxfam International, Make Trade Fair Campaign.
The Issues: Market Access. www.maketradefair.com;
accessed May 2006.
68. Ibid. The Issues: Labour Rights.
Part Four – Recipe for Success: Solutions and Strategies to Build CFS
1. Food Security Projects of the Nova Scotia Nutrition
Council and the Atlantic Health Promotion
Research Centre, Dalhousie University. (2005).
Thought About Food? A Workbook on Food Security
and Infl uencing Policy. www.foodthoughtful.ca; p
15.
2. Ibid; p 25.
3. The Health Communication Unit, at the Centre for
Health Promotion, University of Toronto. (2004).
Developing Health Promotion Policies, Version 1.0.
On-line at www.thcu.ca/infoandresources.htm;
p 2.
4. Food Security Projects of the Nova Scotia Nutrition
Council and the Atlantic Health Promotion
Research Centre, Dalhousie University. (2005).
Thought About Food? A Workbook on Food Security
and Infl uencing Policy. www.foodthoughtful.ca; p
18.
5. Communities and Schools Promoting Health.
School Health Policies. www.safehealthyschools.
org; accessed May 2006.
6. World Health Organization. (1998). Health
Promotion Glossary. whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/1998/
WHO_HPR_HEP_98.1.pdf.
Part VII References 55

60. 7. Food Security Projects of the Nova Scotia Nutrition
Council and the Atlantic Health Promotion
Research Centre, Dalhousie University. (2005).
Thought About Food? A Workbook on Food Security
and Infl uencing Policy. www.foodthoughtful.ca; p
18.
8. Communities and Schools Promoting Health.
School Health Policies – Principles. www.
safehealthyschools.org; accessed May 2006.
9. Vallianatos M. (2002). Healthy School Food Policies:
A Checklist. Center for Food and Justice, Urban
and Environmental Policy Institute. On-line at
http://departments.oxy.edu/uepi/cfj /publications/
healthy_school_food_policies_05.pdf
10. Beyond Factory Farming Coalition.
Community Food Systems: Food Charters. www.
beyondfactoryfarming.org/success/food_systems.
html; accessed May 2006
11. Social Planning Council of Winnipeg Public
Health Agency of Canada. (2005). Towards a
Manitoba Food Charter: An Invitation to a Province-
Wide Conversation on Food. Online at www.spcw.
mb.ca; p 2.
12. Food Security Projects of the Nova Scotia Nutrition
Council and the Atlantic Health Promotion
Research Centre, Dalhousie University. (2005).
Thought About Food? A Workbook on Food Security
and Infl uencing Policy. www.foodthoughtful.ca; p
16.
13. Dietitians of Canada (2005). Individual and
Household Food Insecurity in Canada: Position of
Dietitians of Canada. www.dietitians.ca/news/
downloads/Food_Insecurity_position.pdf; p 8–9.
14. Food Security Projects of the Nova Scotia Nutrition
Council and the Atlantic Health Promotion
Research Centre, Dalhousie University. (2005).
Thought About Food? A Workbook on Food Security
and Infl uencing Policy. www.foodthoughtful.ca; p
10.
15. Sierra Club of Canada. Agriculture, Climate Change
and Health. www.sierraclub.ca/national/programs/
health-environment/food-agriculture/campaign.
shtml?x=840; accessed April 2006.
16. Oxfam International, Make Trade Fair Campaign.
Fair Trade and You. www.maketradefair.com;
accessed May 2006.
17. Ibid.
18. Beyond Factory Farming Coalition. Community
Food Systems: Community Shared Agriculture. www.
beyondfactoryfarming.org/success/food_systems.
html; accessed May 2006.
19. Ibid.
20. Thunder Bay Food Action Network and Thunder
Bay District Health Unit. Gleaning: Neighbours
Picking Together (brochure). Online at: www.tbdhu.
com/food/security/Gardening.htm; accessed May
2006.
21. Thunder Bay Food Action Network and Thunder
Bay District Health Unit. School Nutrition Programs
in Thunder Bay (brochure). www.tbdhu.com/food/
security/SchoolNutritionPrograms.htm; accessed
May 2006.
22. Nutrition Resource Center. The Community Food
Advisor Program. www.nutritionrc.ca/programs/
index.html; accessed May 2006.
23. Ibid.
56 Healthy Food, Healthy Community A Community Action Guide